Surface-mediated cells with high power density and high energy density

ABSTRACT

A surface-mediated cell (SMC) comprising: (a) a cathode comprising a carbon-based cathode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (b) an anode comprising an anode current collector alone, or combined anode current collector and anode active material; (c) a porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; (d) a lithium-containing electrolyte, wherein the anode and/or cathode active material has a specific surface area no less than 100 m 2 /g in direct physical contact with the electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; and (e) a lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes when the cell is made, and the cell has an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of at least 0.8 volts; wherein the cell operates between a lower voltage limit lower than the OCV and an upper limit of between 3.8 and 4.5 volts.

This application claims the benefits of the following US patent applications: (1) Aruna Zhamu, Chen-guang Liu, X. Q. Wang, and Bor Z. Jang, “Surface-Mediated Lithium Ion-Exchanging Energy Storage Device,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/199,450 (Aug. 30, 2011). (2) Aruna Zhamu, Chen-guang Liu, and Bor Z. Jang, “Partially Surface-Mediated Lithium Ion-Exchanging Cells and Method of Operating Same,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/199,713 (Sep. 7, 2011). (3) Aruna Zhamu, Gurorong Chen, X. Q. Wang, Yanbo Wang, and B. Z. Jang, “Stacks of Internally Connected Surface-Mediated Cells and Methods of Operating Same,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/374,321 (Dec. 21, 2011).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of electrochemical energy storage devices and, more particularly, to a totally new surface-mediated cell (SMC) that operates on the exchange of lithium ions between massive cathode surfaces and anode surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Supercapacitors (Ultra-Capacitors or Electro-Chemical Capacitors):

The high volumetric capacitance density of a supercapacitor derives from using porous electrodes to create a large surface area conducive to the formation of diffuse electric double layer (EDL) charges. The ionic species (cations and anions) in the EDL are formed in the electrolyte near an electrode surface (but not on the electrode surface per se) when voltage is imposed upon a symmetric supercapacitor (or EDLC), as schematically illustrated in FIG. 1(A). The required ions for this EDL mechanism pre-exist in the liquid electrolyte (randomly distributed in the electrolyte) when the cell is made or in a discharged state (FIG. 1(B)). These ions do not come from the opposite electrode material. In other words, the required ions to be formed into an EDL near the surface of a negative electrode (anode) active material (e.g., activated carbon particle) do not come from the positive electrode (cathode); i.e., they are not previously captured or stored in the surfaces or interiors of a cathode active material. Similarly, the required ions to be formed into an EDL near the surface of a cathode active material do not come from the surface or interior of an anode active material.

When the supercapacitor is re-charged, the ions (both cations and anions) already pre-existing in the liquid electrolyte are formed into EDLs near their respective local electrodes. There is no exchange of ions between an anode active material and a cathode active material. The amount of charges that can be stored (capacitance) is dictated solely by the concentrations of cations and anions that pre-exist in the electrolyte. These concentrations are typically very low and are limited by the solubility of a salt in a solvent, resulting in a low energy density.

In some supercapacitors, the stored energy is further augmented by pseudo-capacitance effects due to some electrochemical reactions (e.g., redox). In such a pseudo-capacitor, the ions involved in a redox pair also pre-exist in the electrolyte. Again, there is no exchange of ions between an anode active material and a cathode active material.

Since the formation of EDLs does not involve a chemical reaction or an exchange of ions between the two opposite electrodes, the charge or discharge process of an EDL supercapacitor can be very fast, typically in seconds, resulting in a very high power density (more typically 3,000-8,000 W/Kg). Compared with batteries, supercapacitors offer a higher power density, require no maintenance, offer a much higher cycle-life, require a very simple charging circuit, and are generally much safer. Physical, rather than chemical, energy storage is the key reason for their safe operation and extraordinarily high cycle-life.

Despite the positive attributes of supercapacitors, there are several technological barriers to widespread implementation of supercapacitors for various industrial applications. For instance, supercapacitors possess very low energy densities when compared to batteries (e.g., 5-8 Wh/kg for commercial supercapacitors vs. 20-30 Wh/Kg for the lead acid battery and 50-100 Wh/kg for the NiMH battery). Lithium-ion batteries possess a much higher energy density, typically in the range of 100-180 Wh/kg, based on the total cell weight.

Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIB):

Although possessing a much higher energy density, lithium-ion batteries deliver a very low power density (typically 100-500 W/Kg), requiring typically hours for re-charge. Conventional lithium-ion batteries also pose some safety concern.

The low power density or long re-charge time of a lithium ion battery is due to the mechanism of shuttling lithium ions between the interior of an anode and the interior of a cathode, which requires lithium ions to enter or intercalate into the bulk of anode active material particles during re-charge, and into the bulk of cathode active material particles during discharge. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 1(C), in a most commonly used lithium-ion battery featuring graphite particles as an anode active material, lithium ions are required to diffuse into the inter-planar spaces of a graphite crystal at the anode during re-charge. Most of these lithium ions have to come all the way from the cathode side by diffusing out of the bulk of a cathode active particle, through the pores of a solid separator (pores being filled with a liquid electrolyte), and into the bulk of a graphite particle at the anode.

During discharge, lithium ions diffuse out of the anode active material (e.g. de-intercalate out of graphite particles 10 μm in diameter), migrate through the liquid electrolyte phase, and then diffuse into the bulk of complex cathode crystals (e.g. intercalate into particles lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, or other lithium insertion compound), as illustrated in FIG. 1(D). Because liquid electrolyte only reaches the external surface (not interior) of a solid particle (e.g. graphite particle), lithium ions swimming in the liquid electrolyte can only migrate (via fast liquid-state diffusion) to the surface of a graphite particle. To penetrate into the bulk of a solid graphite particle would require a slow solid-state diffusion (commonly referred to as “intercalation”) of lithium ions. The diffusion coefficients of lithium in solid particles of lithium metal oxide are typically 10⁻¹⁶-10⁻⁸ cm²/sec (more typically 10⁻¹⁴-10⁻¹⁰ cm²/sec), and those of lithium in liquid are approximately 10⁻⁶ cm²/sec.

In other words, these intercalation or solid-state diffusion processes require a long time to accomplish because solid-state diffusion (or diffusion inside a solid) is difficult and slow. This is why, for instance, the current lithium-ion battery for plug-in hybrid vehicles requires 2-7 hours of recharge time, as opposed to just seconds for supercapacitors. The above discussion suggests that an energy storage device that is capable of storing as much energy as in a battery and yet can be fully recharged in one or two minutes like a supercapacitor would be considered a revolutionary advancement in energy storage technology.

Lithium Ion Capacitors (LIC):

A hybrid energy storage device that is developed for the purpose of combining some features of an EDL supercapacitor (or symmetric supercapacitor) and those of a lithium-ion battery (LIB) is a lithium-ion capacitor (LIC). A LIC contains a lithium intercalation compound (e.g., graphite particles) as an anode and an EDL capacitor-type cathode (e.g. activated carbon, AC), as schematically illustrated in FIG. 1(E). In a commonly used LIC, LiPF₆ is used as an electrolyte salt, which is dissolved in a solvent, such as propylene carbonate. When the LIC is in a charged state, lithium ions are retained in the interior of the lithium intercalation compound anode (usually micron-scaled graphite particles) and their counter-ions (e.g. negatively charged PF₆ ⁻) are disposed near activated carbon surfaces (but not on an AC surface, or captured by an AC surface), as illustrated in FIG. 1(E).

When the LIC is discharged, lithium ions migrate out from the interior of graphite particles (a slow solid-state diffusion process) to enter the electrolyte phase and, concurrently, the counter-ions PF₆ ⁻ are also released from the EDL zone, moving further away from AC surfaces into the bulk of the electrolyte. In other words, both the cations (Li⁺ ions) and the anions (PF₆ ⁻) are randomly disposed in the liquid electrolyte, not associated with any electrode (FIG. 1(F)). This implies that, just like in a symmetric supercapacitor, the amounts of both the cations and the anions that dictate the specific capacitance of a LIC are essentially limited by the solubility limit of the lithium salt in a solvent (i.e. limited by the amount of LiPF₆ that can be dissolved in the solvent). Therefore, the energy density of LICs (a maximum of 14 Wh/kg) is not much higher than that (6 Wh/kg) of an EDLC (symmetric supercapacitor), and remains an order of magnitude lower than that (most typically 120-150 Wh/kg) of a LIB.

Furthermore, due to the need to undergo de-intercalation and intercalation at the anode, the power density of a LIC is not high (typically <15 kW/kg, which is comparable to or only slightly higher than those of an EDLC).

The above review of the prior art indicates that a battery has a higher energy density, but is incapable of delivering a high power (high currents or pulse power) that an EV, HEV, or micro-EV needs for stop/start and accelerating. A battery alone is also not capable of capturing and storing the braking energy of a vehicle. A supercapacitor or LIC can deliver a higher power, but does not store much energy (the stored energy only lasts for a short duration of operating time) and, hence, cannot be a single power source alone to meet the energy/power needs of an EV or HEV.

More Recent Developments:

Most recently, our research group has invented a revolutionary class of high-power and high-energy-density energy storage devices now commonly referred to as the surface-mediated cell (SMC). This has been reported in the following patent applications and a scientific paper:

-   -   1. C. G. Liu, et al., “Lithium Super-battery with a         Functionalized Nano Graphene Cathode,” U.S. patent application         Ser. No. 12/806,679 (Aug. 19, 2010).     -   2. C. G. Liu, et al, “Lithium Super-battery with a         Functionalized Disordered Carbon Cathode,” U.S. patent         application Ser. No. 12/924,211 (Sep. 23, 2010).     -   3. Aruna Zhamu, C. G. Liu, David Neff, and Bor Z. Jang,         “Surface-Controlled Lithium Ion Exchanging Energy Storage         Device,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/928,927 (Dec. 23,         2010).     -   4. Aruna Zhamu, C. G. Liu, David Neff, Z. Yu, and Bor Z. Jang,         “Partially and Fully Surface-Enabled Metal Ion-Exchanging         Battery Device,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/930,294         (Jan. 3, 2011).     -   5. Aruna Zhamu, Chen-guang Liu, X. Q. Wang, and Bor Z. Jang,         “Surface-Mediated Lithium Ion-Exchanging Energy Storage Device,”         U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/199,450 (Aug. 30, 2011).     -   6. Aruna Zhamu, Chen-guang Liu, and Bor Z. Jang, “Partially         Surface-Mediated Lithium Ion-Exchanging Cells and Method of         Operating Same,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/199,713         (Sep. 7, 2011).     -   7. Bor Z. Jang, C. G. Liu, D. Neff, Z. Yu, Ming C. Wang, W.         Xiong, and A. Zhamu, “Graphene Surface-Enabled Lithium         Ion-Exchanging Cells: Next-Generation High-Power Energy Storage         Devices,” Nano Letters, 2011, 11 (9), pp 3785-3791.

There are two types of SMCs: partially surface-mediated cells (p-SMC, also referred to as lithium super-batteries) and fully surface-mediated cells (f-SMC). Both types of SMCs contain the following components:

-   -   (a) An anode containing an anode current collector (such as         copper foil) in a lithium super-battery or p-SMC, or an anode         current collector plus an anode active material in an f-SMC. The         anode active material in an f-SMC is preferably a nano-carbon         material (e.g., graphene) having a high specific surface area         (preferably >100 m²/g, more preferably >500 m²/g, further         preferably >1,000 m²/g, and most preferably >1,500 m²/g). The         anode current collector is preferably porous, having large         surface areas to accommodate returning lithium ions when the         cell is being re-charged;     -   (b) A cathode containing a cathode current collector and a         cathode active material (e.g. graphene or disordered carbon)         having a high specific surface area (preferably >100 m²/g, more         preferably >500 m²/g, further preferably >1,000 m²/g, still more         preferably >1,500 m²/g, and most preferably >2,000 m²/g);     -   (c) A porous separator separating the anode and the cathode,         soaked with an electrolyte (preferably liquid or gel         electrolyte); and     -   (d) A lithium source disposed in an anode or a cathode (or both)         and in direct contact with the electrolyte.

In a fully surface-mediated cell, f-SMC, as illustrated in FIG. 2, both the cathode active material and the anode active material are porous, having large amounts of graphene surfaces in direct contact with liquid electrolyte. These electrolyte-wetted surfaces are ready to interact with nearby lithium ions dissolved therein, enabling fast and direct adsorption of lithium ions on graphene surfaces and/or redox reaction between lithium ions and surface functional groups, thereby removing the need for solid-state diffusion or intercalation. When the SMC cell is made, particles or foil of lithium metal are implemented at the anode (FIG. 2A), which are ionized during the first discharge cycle, supplying a large amount of lithium ions. These ions migrate to the nano-structured cathode through liquid electrolyte, entering the pores and reaching the surfaces in the interior of the cathode without having to undergo solid-state intercalation (FIG. 2B). When the cell is re-charged, a massive flux of lithium ions are quickly released from the large amounts of cathode surfaces, migrating into the anode zone. The large surface areas of the nano-structured anode enable concurrent and high-rate deposition of lithium ions (FIG. 2C), re-establishing an electrochemical potential difference between the lithium-decorated anode and the cathode.

A particularly useful nano-structured electrode material is nano graphene platelet (NGP), which refers to either a single-layer graphene sheet or multi-layer graphene pletelets. A single-layer graphene sheet is a 2-D hexagon lattice of carbon atoms covalently bonded along two plane directions. We have studied a broad array of graphene materials for electrode uses: pristine graphene, graphene oxide, chemically or thermally reduced graphene, graphene fluoride, chemically modified graphene, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene. In all cases, both single-layer and multi-layer graphene were prepared from natural graphite, petroleum pitch-derived artificial graphite, micron-scaled graphite fibers, activated carbon (AC), and treated carbon black (t-CB). AC and CB contain narrower graphene sheets or aromatic rings as a building block, while graphite and graphite fibers contain wider graphene sheets. Their micro-structures all have to be exfoliated (to increase inter-graphene spacing in graphite) or activated (to open up nano gates or pores in t-CB) to allow liquid electrolyte to access more graphene edges and surfaces where lithium can be captured. Other types of disordered carbon studied have included soft carbon (including meso-phase carbon, such as meso-carbon micro-beads), hard carbon (including petroleum coke), and amorphous carbon, in addition to carbon black and activated carbon. All these carbon/graphite materials have graphene sheets dispersed in their microstructure.

These highly conducting materials, when used as a cathode active material, can have a functional group that is capable of rapidly and reversibly forming a redox reaction with lithium ions. This is one possible way of capturing and storing lithium directly on a graphene surface (including edge). We have also discovered that the benzene ring centers of graphene sheets are highly effective and stable sites for capturing and storing lithium atoms, even in the absence of a lithium-capturing functional group.

Similarly, in a lithium super-battery (p-SMC), the cathode includes a chemically functionalized NGP or a functionalized disordered carbon material having certain specific functional groups capable of reversibly and rapidly forming/releasing a redox pair with a lithium ion during the discharge and charge cycles of a p-SMC. In a p-SMC, the disordered carbon or NGP is used in the cathode (not the anode) of the lithium super-battery. In this cathode, lithium ions in the liquid electrolyte only have to migrate to the edges or surfaces of graphene sheets (in the case of functionalized NGP cathode), or the edges/surfaces of the aromatic ring structures (small graphene sheets) in a disordered carbon matrix. No solid-state diffusion is required at the cathode. The presence of a functionalized graphene or carbon having functional groups thereon enables reversible storage of lithium on the surfaces (including edges), not the bulk, of the cathode material. Such a cathode material provides one type of lithium-storing or lithium-capturing surface. Again, another possible mechanism is based on the benzene ring centers of graphene sheets that are highly effective and stable sites for capturing and storing lithium atoms.

In a lithium super-battery or p-SMC, the anode comprises a current collector and a lithium foil alone (as a lithium source), without an anode active material to support or capture lithium ions/atoms. Lithium has to deposit onto the front surface of an anode current collector alone (e.g. copper foil) when the battery is re-charged. Since the specific surface area of a current collector is very low (typically <1 m²/gram), the over-all lithium re-deposition rate can be relatively low as compared to f-SMC.

The features and advantages of SMCs that differentiate the SMC from conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIB), supercapacitors, and lithium-ion capacitors (LIC) are summarized below:

-   -   (A) In an SMC, lithium ions are exchanged between anode surfaces         and cathode surfaces, not bulk or interior:         -   a. The conventional LIB stores lithium in the interior of an             anode active material (e.g. graphite particles) in a charged             state (e.g. FIG. 1(C)) and the interior of a cathode active             material in a discharged state (FIG. 1(D)). During the             discharge and charge cycles of a LIB, lithium ions must             diffuse into and out of the bulk of a cathode active             material, such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) and lithium             iron phosphate (LiFePO₄). Lithium ions must also diffuse in             and out of the inter-planar spaces in a graphite crystal             serving as an anode active material. The lithium insertion             or extraction procedures at both the cathode and the anode             are very slow, resulting in a low power density and             requiring a long re-charge time.         -   b. When in a charged state, a LIC also stores lithium in the             interior of graphite anode particles (FIG. 1(E)), thus             requiring a long re-charge time as well. During discharge,             lithium ions must also diffuse out of the interior of             graphite particles, thereby compromising the power density.             The lithium ions (cations Li⁺) and their counter-ions (e.g.             anions PF₆ ⁻) are randomly dispersed in the liquid             electrolyte when the LIC is in a discharged state (FIG.             1(F)). In contrast, the lithium ions are captured by             graphene surfaces (e.g. at centers of benzene rings of a             graphene sheet as illustrated in FIG. 2(D)) when an SMC is             in a discharged state. Lithium is deposited on the surface             of an anode (anode current collector and/or anode active             material) when the SMC is in a charged state. Relatively few             lithium ions stay in the liquid electrolyte.         -   c. When in a charged state, a symmetric supercapacitor             (EDLC) stores their cations near a surface (but not at the             surface) of an anode active material (e.g. activated carbon,             AC) and stores their counter-ions near a surface (but not at             the surface) of a cathode active material (e.g., AC), as             illustrated in FIG. 1(A). When the EDLC is discharged, both             the cations and their counter-ions are re-dispersed randomly             in the liquid electrolyte, further away from the AC surfaces             (FIG. 1(B)). In other words, neither the cations nor the             anions are exchanged between the anode surface and the             cathode surface.         -   d. For a supercapacitor exhibiting a pseudo-capacitance or             redox effect, either the cation or the anion form a redox             pair with an electrode active material (e.g. polyanniline or             manganese oxide coated on AC surfaces) when the             supercapacitor is in a charged state. However, when the             supercapacitor is discharged, both the cations and their             counter-ions are re-dispersed randomly in the liquid             electrolyte, away from the AC surfaces. Neither the cations             nor the anions are exchanged between the anode surface and             the cathode surface. In contrast, the cations (Li⁺) are             captured by cathode surfaces (e.g. graphene benzene ring             centers) when the SMC is in the discharged state. It is also             the cations (Li⁺) that are captured by surfaces of an anode             current collector and/or anode active material) when the SMC             is in the discharged state. In other words, the lithium ions             are shuttled between the anode surfaces and the cathode             surfaces.         -   e. An SMC operates on the exchange of lithium ions between             the surfaces of an anode (anode current collector and/or             anode active material) and a cathode (cathode active             material). The cathode in a SMC has (a) benzene ring centers             on a graphene plane to capture and release lithium; (b)             functional groups (e.g. attached at the edge or basal plane             surfaces of a graphene sheet) that readily and reversibly             form a redox reaction with a lithium ion from a             lithium-containing electrolyte; and (c) surface defects to             trap and release lithium during discharge and charge. Unless             the cathode active material (e.g. graphene, CNT, or             disordered carbon) is heavily functionalized, mechanism (b)             does not significantly contribute to the lithium storage             capacity.             -   When the SMC is discharged, lithium ions are released                 from the surfaces of an anode (surfaces of an anode                 current collector and/or surfaces of an anode active                 material, such as graphene). These lithium ions do not                 get randomly dispersed in the electrolyte. Instead,                 these lithium ions swim through liquid electrolyte and                 get captured by the surfaces of a cathode active                 material. These lithium ions are stored at the benzene                 ring centers, trapped at surface defects, or captured by                 surface/edge-borne functional groups. Very few lithium                 ions remain in the liquid electrolyte phase.             -   When the SMC is re-charged, massive lithium ions are                 released from the surfaces of a cathode active material                 having a high specific surface area. Under the influence                 of an electric field generated by an outside battery                 charger, lithium ions are driven to swim through liquid                 electrolyte and get captured by anode surfaces, or are                 simply electrochemically plated onto anode surfaces.     -   (B) In a discharged state of a SMC, a great amount of lithium         atoms are captured on the massive surfaces of a cathode active         material. These lithium ions in a discharged SMC are not         dispersed or dissolved in the liquid electrolyte, and not part         of the electrolyte. Therefore, the solubility limit of lithium         ions and/or their counter-ions does not become a limiting factor         for the amount of lithium that can be captured at the cathode         side. It is the specific surface area at the cathode that         dictates the lithium storage capacity of an SMC provided there         is a correspondingly large amount of available lithium atoms at         the lithium source prior to the first discharge/charge.     -   (C) During the discharge of an SMC, lithium ions coming from the         anode side through a separator only have to diffuse in the         liquid electrolyte residing in the cathode to reach a         surface/edge of a graphene plane. These lithium ions do not need         to diffuse into or out of the volume (interior) of a solid         particle. Since no diffusion-limited intercalation is involved         at the cathode, this process is fast and can occur in seconds.         Hence, this is a totally new class of energy storage device that         exhibits unparalleled and unprecedented combined performance of         an exceptional power density, high energy density, long and         stable cycle life, and wide operating temperature range. This         device has exceeded the best of both battery and supercapacitor         worlds.     -   (D) In an f-SMC, the energy storage device operates on lithium         ion exchange between the cathode and the anode. Both the cathode         and the anode (not just the cathode) have a lithium-capturing or         lithium-storing surface and both electrodes (not just the         cathode) obviate the need to engage in solid-state diffusion.         Both the anode and the cathode have large amounts of surface         areas to allow lithium ions to deposit thereon simultaneously,         enabling dramatically higher charge and discharge rates and         higher power densities.         -   The uniform dispersion of these surfaces of a             nano-structured material (e.g. graphene, CNT, disordered             carbon, nano-wire, and nano-fiber) at the anode also             provides a more uniform electric field in the electrode in             which lithium can more uniformly deposit without forming a             dendrite. Such a nano-structure eliminates the potential             formation of dendrites, which was the most serious problem             in conventional lithium metal batteries (commonly used in             1980s and early 1990s before being replaced by lithium-ion             batteries).     -   (E) A SMC typically has an open-circuit voltage of >1.0 volts         (most typically >1.5 volts) and can operate up to 4.5 volts for         lithium salt-based organic electrolyte. Using an identical         electrolyte, an EDLC or symmetric supercapacitor has an         open-circuit voltage of essentially 0 volts and can only operate         up to 2.7 volts. Also using an identical electrolyte, a LIC         operates between 2.2 volts and 3.8 volts. These are additional         manifestations of the notion that the SMC is fundamentally         different and patently distinct from both an EDLC and a LIC.

The amount of lithium stored in the lithium source when a SMC is made dictates the amount of lithium ions that can be exchanged between an anode and a cathode. This, in turn, dictates the energy density of the SMC.

Upon further studies, we have made several significant yet unexpected discoveries. First, we have observed that a SMC can operate at a lower voltage limit (LVL) that is lower than the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of the cell when it is made. We have surprisingly observed that by operating the SMC down to a lower voltage limit (LVL<OCV) enables us to achieve a significantly higher cathode capacity and higher energy density. We have further discovered that carbon aerogel and related carbon gel or foam materials, including graphene-enhanced carbon aerogel and CNT-enhanced carbon aerogel, are outstanding SMC electrode materials, providing exceptionally high energy and power density values.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of defining the scope of the claims in the instant application, the surface-mediated cell (SMC) does not include any lithium-air (lithium-oxygen) cell, lithium-sulfur cell, or any cell wherein the operation of the energy storage device involves the introduction of oxygen from outside of the device, or involves the formation of a metal oxide, metal sulfide, metal selenide, metal telluride, metal hydroxide, or metal-halogen compound at the cathode. These cells involve a strong cathode reaction during cell discharge and, hence, the re-charge reaction is not very reversible (having very low round-trip efficiency) and/or extremely poor power density.

The present invention provides a surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging energy storage device (SMC) comprising: (a) A positive electrode (cathode) comprising a cathode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (b) A negative electrode (anode) comprising either an anode current collector alone or a combination of an anode current collector and an anode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (c) A porous separator disposed between the two electrodes; and (d) A lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein the anode active material and/or the cathode active material has a specific surface area of no less than 100 m²/g being in direct physical contact with the electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; wherein at least one of the two electrodes contains therein a lithium source prior to a first charge or a first discharge cycle of the energy storage device, and at least the cathode active material does not contain a functionalized carbon nanotube material (i.e. no functionalized or oxidized CNT that bears a functional group capable of reacting with Li). The lithium source is disposed in at least one of the two electrodes or pre-lithiated into or onto the anode when the cell is made, and the cell has an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of at least 0.8 volts prior to the first charge or discharge cycle of the cell. The cell operates between a lower voltage limit (LVL) and an upper voltage limit (UVL) wherein the lower voltage limit is lower than the OCV (LVL<OCV) and the upper voltage limit is between 3.8 volts and 4.5 volts. The lower limit is preferably 1.2 volts, more preferably 1.0 volts, and can be 0.8 volts or as low as 0.6 volts.

The lithium source may be preferably in a form of solid lithium or lithium alloy foil, lithium or lithium alloy chip, lithium or lithium alloy powder, or surface-stabilized lithium particles. The lithium source may be a layer of lithium or lithium alloy thin film pre-loaded on surfaces of an anode active material.

In one preferred embodiment, the cell operates between a lower voltage limit and an upper voltage limit wherein the lithium source provides an amount of lithium sufficient for the anode to retain a non-zero lithium content when the cell is discharged to the lower voltage limit. Such a strategy unexpectedly results in a cell with a higher energy density. The reason for such an improvement remains unclear.

The electrolyte preferably comprises liquid electrolyte (e.g. organic liquid or ionic liquid) or gel electrolyte in which lithium ions have a high diffusion coefficient. Solid electrolyte is normally not desirable, but some thin layer of solid electrolyte may be used if it exhibits a relatively high diffusion rate. Lithium-containing ionic liquids are particularly desired due to their low volatility and non-flammability (hence, low or no fire or explosion hazard).

To illustrate the operational principle of this new battery device (FIG. 2(A)), one may consider a case wherein a lithium source (e.g. small pieces of lithium foil) is implemented between a nano-structured anode (e.g. comprising graphene sheets) and a porous polymer separator when the battery device is made, and wherein a nano-structured cathode comprises non-functionalized graphene sheets surrounded by interconnected pores that are preferably meso-scaled (2 nm-50 nm), but can be smaller than 2 nm. Referring to FIG. 2(A)-(C), during the first discharge cycle, lithium foil is ionized to generate lithium ions in the liquid electrolyte. Lithium ions rapidly migrate through the pores of the polymer separator into the cathode side. Since the cathode is also meso-porous having interconnected pores to accommodate liquid electrolyte therein, lithium ions basically just have to sail through liquid to reach an active site (not a functional group) on a surface or edge of a graphene sheet at the cathode. The graphene surface is in direct contact with electrolyte and readily accepts lithium ions from the electrolyte. Because all the steps (lithium ionization, liquid phase diffusion, and surface trapping/adsoption/capturing) are fast and no solid-state diffusion is required, the whole process is very fast, enabling fast discharging of the SMC and a high power density.

This is in stark contrast to the conventional lithium-ion battery wherein lithium ions are required to diffuse into the bulk of a solid cathode particle (e.g., micron-sized lithium cobalt oxide) during discharge, which is a very slow process. During discharge of the lithium-ion battery, these lithium ions have to come out of the bulk of graphite particles at the anode. Since liquid electrolyte only reaches the surfaces of these micron-scaled graphite particles (not in direct contact with the graphene surfaces inside the graphite particle), lithium has to undergo solid-state diffusion, and this lithium de-intercalation step is also very slow.

In the above example, the discharge process continues until either the lithium foil is completely ionized or all the active sites on the cathode active materials are occupied by lithium atoms. In one preferred embodiment, the amount of lithium source is sufficiently large to ensure that there is non-zero amount of lithium left with the anode. Preferably, this amount is at least 30% of the total weight of the anode (including the anode current collector and anode active materials combined).

During re-charge, lithium ions are released from the massive surfaces of the cathode active material (containing no functionalized carbon nanotube that has a functional group attached thereon), diffuse through liquid electrolyte, and get captured by the surfaces of an anode current collector or anode active material (e.g. simply get electrochemically deposited on a surface of the nano-structured anode material). Again, no solid-state diffusion is required and, hence, the whole process is very fast, requiring a short re-charge time. This is as opposed to the required solid-state diffusion of lithium ions into the bulk of graphite particles at the anode of a conventional lithium-ion battery.

The surfaces of an SMC electrode material (e.g., pristine graphene containing essentially 100% carbon), despite having no functional groups bonded thereon, are capable of capturing lithium ions directly from a liquid electrolyte phase and storing lithium atoms on the surfaces in a reversible and stable manner. This is a completely new electrochemistry that has never been discovered by anybody than our research group. During the SMC discharge process, lithium ions are released from the anode and the graphene surfaces at the cathode continue to extract or capture lithium ions from the liquid electrolyte, always maintaining a low lithium ion content in the liquid electrolyte, lower or equal to the lithium ion solubility limit in the liquid. This process continues until graphene surfaces at the cathode are saturated with lithium. This saturation limit can be many times greater than the lithium ion solubility limit in the liquid electrolyte provided the graphene-based specific surface area of the cathode active material is sufficiently high (e.g. higher than 100 m²/g). Such a high lithium amount on cathode graphene surfaces implies a high energy density, and also a high power density since this large amount of lithium is captured in a very short period of time. We have achieved an energy density that is >>30 times higher than that of a supercapacitor. The amount of electric double layer charges in a supercapacitor is limited by the solubility of ionic species in the liquid electrolyte. Our SMC strategy has essentially removed this limitation and defied the expectations of all electrochemists.

Clearly, the presently invented battery device provides a very unique platform of exchanging lithium ions between the massive surfaces of an anode and the massive surfaces of a cathode that requires no solid-state diffusion in both electrodes. The process is substantially dictated by the surface-capturing of lithium, plus the liquid-phase diffusion (all being very fast). Hence, the device is herein referred to as a surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging battery. This is a totally different and patently distinct class of energy storage device than the conventional lithium-ion battery, wherein solid-state diffusion of lithium (intercalation and de-intercalation) is required at both the anode and the cathode during both the charge and discharge cycles.

This new surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging battery device is also patently distinct from the conventional supercapacitor based on the electric double layer (EDL) mechanism or pseudo-capacitance mechanism. In both mechanisms, no lithium ions are exchanged between the two electrodes (since lithium is not stored in the bulk or surfaces of the electrode; instead, they are stored in the electric double layers near the electrode surfaces). When a supercapacitor is re-charged, the electric double layers are formed near the activated carbon surfaces at both the anode and the cathode sides. When the supercapacitor is discharged, both the negatively charged species and the positively charged species get randomly dispersed in the electrolyte (staying further away from electrode material surfaces). In contrast, when a SMC is re-charged, essentially all of the lithium ions are electro-plated onto the surfaces of the anode, and the cathode side is essentially lithium-free. When the SMC is discharged, essentially all the lithium ions are captured by the cathode active material surfaces (stored in the surface defects or bonded to the benzene ring centers of graphene). Very little lithium stays in the electrolyte.

More significantly, all the prior art supercapacitors do not contain an extra lithium source and do not involve ionization of lithium from this lithium source. The charge storage capacitance of a supercapacitor (even when using a Li-containing electrolyte) is limited by the amounts of cations and anions that participate in the formation of EDL charges. These amounts are dictated by the original concentration of Li⁺ ions and their counter ions (anions) from a lithium salt, which are in turn dictated by the solubility limits of these ions in the electrolyte solvent. To illustrate this point, let us assume that only up to 1 mole of Li⁺ ions can be dissolved in 1 mL of a solvent and there are totally 5 mL of solvent added to a particular supercapacitor cell, Then, there is a maximum of 5 moles of Li⁺ ions that can be present in the total cell and this amount dictates the maximum amount of charges that can be stored in this supercapacitor.

In contrast (and quite surprisingly), the amounts of lithium ions that can be shuttled between the anode surface and the cathode surface of a SMC are not limited by the chemical solubility of lithium salt in this same solvent. Assume that an identical 5 mL of solvent (containing 5 moles of Li⁺ ions, as described above for a supercapacitor) is used in the SMC. Since the solvent is already fully saturated with the lithium salt, one would expect that this solvent cannot and will not accept any more Lr ions from an extra lithium source (5 moles being the maximum). Consequently, one would expect that these 5 moles of Li⁺ ions are the maximum amount of lithium that we can use to store charges (i.e., the maximum amount of Li⁺ ions that can be captured by the cathode during discharge, or the maximum amount of Li⁺ ions that can be captured by the anode during re-charge). Contrary to this expectation by a person of ordinary or even extra-ordinary skill in the art of electrochemistry, we have surprisingly discovered that the amount of Li⁺ ions that can be captured by the surfaces of either electrode (or, the amount of Li⁺ ions that can be shuttled between the two electrodes) in a SMC typically far exceeds this solubility limit by 1 or 2 orders of magnitude. The implementation of a lithium source at the anode and massive lithium-capturing surfaces at the cathode appears to have defied this expectation by providing dramatically more lithium ions than what the solvent can dissolve therein.

Further surprisingly, in a SMC, the amount of lithium capable of contributing to the charge storage is controlled (limited) by the amount of surface active sites of a cathode capable of capturing lithium ions from the electrolyte. This is so even when this amount of surface active sites far exceeds the amount of Li⁺ ions that the solvent can hold at one time (e.g. 5 moles in the present discussion), provided that the implemented lithium source can provide the extra amount lithium ions. These active sites can be just the surface defects of graphene, or the benzene ring centers on a graphene plane (FIGS. 3(D) and (E)). Also quite unexpectedly, lithium atoms are found to be capable of strongly and reversibly bonding to the individual centers of benzene rings (hexagons of carbon atoms) that constitute a graphene sheet, or of being reversibly trapped by graphene surface defect sites if the graphene sheets are used as a cathode active material.

In this SMC device, preferably at least the cathode of the two electrodes has a cathode active material that is not a functionalized or oxidized CNT (i.e., having no functional group or oxygen-containing group attached to its surface that is exposed to electrolyte). The functionalized material means a material having a functional group (e.g., carbonyl) that is capable of reacting with a lithium atom or ion to form a redox pair. The cathode active material has a high specific surface area (>100 m²/g) that is in direct contact with the electrolyte (e.g. being directly immersed in electrolyte) and capable of capturing lithium ions from the electrolyte and storing the lithium atoms in the surface active sites (e.g. surface defects and benzene ring centers).

Preferably, both of the two electrodes have a high specific surface area (>100 m²/g) that is in direct contact with the electrolyte and capable of capturing/storing lithium atoms/ions in their surface active sites. Preferably, at least one of the two electrodes has a nano-structured non-functional material having a high specific surface area no less than 500 m²/gram (preferably >1,000 m²/gram, more preferably >1,500 m²/gram, and most preferably >2,000 m²/gram) to store or support lithium ions or atoms thereon.

Preferably, the lithium source comprises a lithium or lithium alloy chip, lithium or lithium alloy foil, lithium or lithium alloy powder, surface-passivated or stabilized lithium particles, or a combination thereof. The lithium source may be implemented at the anode side before the first discharge procedure is carried out on this battery device. Alternatively, the lithium source may be implemented at the cathode side before the first charge procedure is carried out on this battery device. As another alternative, both the cathode and the anode may be fabricated to contain some lithium source during the battery manufacturing process. It is important to note that this solid lithium source provides the majority of the lithium ions that are to be exchanged between the anode surfaces and the cathode surfaces during the charge-discharge cycles. Although the lithium-containing electrolyte naturally provides some of the needed lithium ions, this amount is way too short to enable the battery device to deliver a high energy density. This is why any symmetric supercapacitor, even if containing Li-based electrolyte, does not exhibit a high energy density.

In the presently invented SMC cell, at least one of the anode active material and the cathode active material (preferably both) is (are) selected from the following: (a) A porous disordered carbon material selected from a soft carbon, hard carbon, polymeric carbon or carbonized resin, meso-phase carbon, coke, carbonized pitch, carbon black, activated carbon, or partially graphitized carbon; (b) A graphene material selected from a single-layer sheet or multi-layer platelet of graphene, graphene oxide (preferably having less than 5% by weight oxygen), graphene fluoride, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, boron-doped graphene, nitrogen-doped graphene, or chemically or thermally reduced graphene oxide; (c) Exfoliated graphite; (d) Meso-porous carbon (e.g. obtained by template-assisted synthesis or chemical activation of meso-phase carbon); (e) A non-functionalized (and non-oxidized) carbon nanotube selected from a single-walled carbon nanotube or multi-walled carbon nanotube; (f) A carbon nano-fiber, (g) A carbon gel or carbon foam material, or (f) A combination thereof. Although CNTs are not preferred nano-structured materials due to the high costs and other technical issues, non-functionalized CNTs (alone or in combination with another nano-structured material) can still be used in the presently invented surface-controlled lithium ion-exchanging battery.

Alternatively, a nano-structured carbon material, such as non-functionalized nano graphene, carbon nanotube, disordered carbon, or nano graphite, may simply provide a surface upon which lithium atoms can be deposited, e.g. via defect site trapping or benzene ring center capturing. The mere existence of a nano-structured material, even without a reactive functional group, can still provide a huge amount of lithium-storing surfaces. This non-functionalized surface is the lithium-storing surface in the present application.

The disordered carbon material may be formed of two phases with a first phase being graphite crystals or stacks of graphene planes and a second phase being non-crystalline carbon and wherein the first phase is dispersed in the second phase or bonded by the second phase. The disordered carbon material may contain less than 90% by volume of graphite crystals and at least 10% by volume of non-crystalline carbon.

The anode or cathode active materials of a SMC may comprise non-functionalized nano graphene selected from a single-layer graphene sheet or a multi-layer graphene platelet. Alternatively, the active materials may comprise single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotube.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anode active material and/or the cathode active material of a SMC is a non-functionalized graphene material selected from a single-layer sheet or multi-layer platelet of graphene, graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, boron-doped graphene, nitrogen-doped graphene, doped graphene, or chemically or thermally reduced graphene oxide. Alternatively, the anode active material and/or the cathode active material is a non-functionalized and non-oxidized version of single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT), oxidized CNT, fluorinated CNT, hydrogenated CNT, nitrogenated CNT, boron-doped CNT, nitrogen-doped CNT, or doped CNT. This CNT type material does not have a function group (such as carbonyl or carboxylic group) capable of capturing a lithium ion.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the anode, current collector or cathode current collector is a porous, electrically conductive material selected from metal foam, metal web or screen, perforated metal sheet, metal fiber mat, metal nanowire mat, porous conductive polymer film, conductive polymer nano-fiber mat or paper, conductive polymer foam, carbon foam, carbon aerogel, carbon xerox gel, graphene foam, graphene oxide foam, reduced graphene oxide foam, carbon fiber paper, graphene paper, graphene oxide paper, reduced graphene oxide paper, carbon nano-fiber paper, carbon nano-tube paper, or a combination thereof.

The lithium source may be selected from lithium metal (e.g., in a thin foil or powder form, preferably stabilized or surface-passivated), a lithium metal alloy, a mixture of lithium metal or lithium alloy with a lithium intercalation compound, a lithiated compound, lithiated titanium dioxide, lithium titanate, lithium manganate, a lithium transition metal oxide, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, or a combination thereof. Specifically, the lithium intercalation compound or lithiated compound may be selected from the following groups of materials: (a) Lithiated silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and mixtures thereof; (b) Lithiated alloys or intermetallic compounds of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Al, Ti, Co, Ni, Mn, Cd, and their mixtures; (c) Lithiated oxides, carbides, nitrides, sulfides, phosphides, selenides, tellurides, or antimonides of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Al, Fe, Ti, Co, Ni, Mn, Cd, and mixtures or composites thereof, and (d) Lithiated salts or hydroxides of Sn.

The electrolyte may be preferably selected from any of the electrolytes used in conventional lithium ion batteries or lithium metal batteries. The electrolyte is preferably liquid electrolyte or gel electrolyte. The electrolyte may comprise a lithium salt-doped ionic liquid. In the SMC, the positive electrode preferably has a thickness greater than 5 μm, preferably greater than 10 μm, further preferably greater than 50 μm, and most preferably greater than 100 μm.

In a preferred embodiment, in the SMC, at least 50% (more preferably at least 80%) of the lithium is stored on surfaces of the anode active material (lithium being in direct physical contact with anode surfaces) when the device is in a charged state, or at least 50% (more preferably at least 80%) of the lithium is stored on surfaces of the cathode active material (lithium being in direct physical contact with cathode surfaces) when the device is in a discharged state.

The SMC typically operates in a voltage range of from 1.0 volts to 4.5 volts, but can be prescribed to operate in a range between a lower voltage limit (LVL) and an upper voltage limit (UVL, from 3.8 to 4.5 volts). The LVL is preferably between 0.6 volts and 2.0 volts, but more preferably between 0.8 volts and 1.5 volts. The LVL is preferably lower than the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of the SMC that is measured when the cell is made. The OCV of a SMC can be greater than 2.0 volts or even greater than 2.5 volts.

It may be noted that a symmetric supercapacitor featuring an organic electrolyte has an OCV of 0 volts and can only operate up to 3.0 volts and typically operates from 0 to 2.7 volts. In contrast, a SMC using exactly the same organic electrolyte typically operates from 0.6 volts (more typically 1.2 volts) to 4.5 volts. This is another piece of evidence that the SMC and the supercapacitor are two fundamentally distinct classes of energy storage devices, operating on different mechanisms and principles.

Preferably, the charge and/or discharge operation of the SMC does not involve lithium intercalation or solid state diffusion even when multi-layer graphene platelets are used in either the anode or the cathode. Lithium intercalation into interstitial spaces between two graphene planes of graphite anode particles (in a conventional lithium-ion battery) typically occur in a voltage below 1.5 volts (relative to Li/Li⁺), mostly below 0.3 volts. The presently invented lithium ion-exchanging cell involves shuttling lithium ions between the surfaces of an anode and surfaces of a cathode, which operates on the range from the LVL (0.6-1.5 volts) to the UVL (3.8-4.5 volts). This operating voltage range seems to have largely avoided lithium intercalation.

Quite surprisingly, the SMC device provides an energy density typically in the range of 100-200 Wh/kg based on the total cell weight, and a maximum power density as high as 100 Kw/kg, also based on the total cell weight. This power density is more than 1 order of magnitude higher than the power densities (3-8 Kw/kg) of conventional supercapacitors, which are noted for their high power density.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (A) a prior art lithium-ion battery cell using graphite, Si, or lithium titanate as an anode active material and lithium iron phosphate (or lithium cobalt oxide, etc) as a cathode active material; (B) a prior art lithium super-battery cell with a lithium titanate as an anode active material and a cathode made of a functional material (e.g., functionalized CNT); (C) a prior art lithium super-battery cell with a lithium foil anode (and an anode current collector, but no anode active material) and a cathode made of functionalized CNT; (D) an example of the presently invented surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging cell, which contains a nano-structured non-functionalized material at the anode, a lithium source (e.g. lithium foil or surface-passivated lithium powder), a porous separator, liquid or gel electrolyte (liquid being preferred), a nano-structured functional material at the cathode.

FIG. 2 (A) The structure of a surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging battery device when it is made (prior to the first discharge or charge cycle), containing a nano-structured material at the anode (having a high specific surface area), a lithium source (e.g. lithium foil or surface-stabilized lithium powder), a porous separator, liquid electrolyte, a nano-structured non-functionalized material at the cathode; (B) The structure of this battery device after its first discharge operation (lithium is ionized with the lithium ions diffusing through liquid electrolyte to reach the surfaces of nano-structured cathode and get rapidly captured by these surfaces); (C) The structure of this battery device after being re-charged (lithium ions are released from the cathode surfaces, diffusing through liquid electrolyte to reach the surfaces of the nano-structured anode and get rapidly plated onto these surfaces). The huge surface areas can serve as a supporting substrate onto which massive amounts of lithium ions can electro-deposit concurrently.

FIG. 3 (A) Schematic of a lithium storage mechanism disclosed in a co-pending application (the functional group attached to an edge or surface of an aromatic ring or small graphene sheet can readily react with a lithium ion to form a redox pair); (B) Possible formation of electric double layers as a minor or negligible mechanism of charge storage; (C) A major lithium storage mechanism (lithium captured at a benzene ring center of a graphene plane), which is fast, reversible, and stable; (D) Another major lithium storage mechanism (lithium atoms trapped in a graphene surface defect).

FIG. 4 Examples of disordered carbon that can be used as a nano-structured material having high surface areas (in direct contact with electrolyte) at the anode and/or the cathode: (A) Schematic of a soft carbon, wherein neighboring stacks of graphene sheets or small aromatic rings are favorably oriented with respect to each other at a small angle that is conducive to the growth or merging (graphitizable); (B) hard carbon (non-graphitizable); (C) carbon black, having a large number of small aromatic ring domains arranged to form a nano-scaled spherical particle. Preferably, an individual carbon black particle is activated to open up small gates that enable liquid electrolyte to access the edge- or surface-borne functional groups inside a particle, as illustrated in (D).

FIG. 5 (A) A SEM image of curved nano graphene sheets; (B) A SEM image of another graphene morphology. All these graphene morphologies provide very high specific surface area (typically from 300 to 2,000 m²/g).

FIG. 6 (A) Ragone plot of five types of cells: two surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging battery cells (one with functional groups in both electrode active materials and the other with non-functionalized active materials), a prior art lithium super-battery (formed of a Li metal anode and a functionalized disordered carbon cathode), a prior art symmetric supercapacitor composed of two functionalized disordered carbon electrodes (no lithium foil as a lithium source), and a symmetric supercapacitor based on LBL-CNTs (the data for CNT-based supercapacitor were read off a figure of S. W. Lee, et al, “High Power Lithium Batteries from Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes,” Nature Nanotechnology, 5 (2010) 531-537). (B) Energy density values plotted as a function of the number of charge/discharge cycles for a functionalized surface cell and a non-functionalized SMC.

FIG. 7. (A) Ragone plots of a functionalized NGP-based lithium super-battery and two corresponding surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging battery devices (one with functional groups and one without a functional group). (B) Lon-term cycling stability of a SMC of the instant application vs. that of a SMC (with functional groups in its electrodes) of an earlier application.

FIG. 8. (A) Charge/discharge curves of three surface-enabled cells (M=NGP from graphite, C=NGP from carbon fibers, and G=exfoliated graphite, EG). The discharge current density is 1 A/g, (B) the CV plots of the same cells at the scan rate 25 mV/s, (c) Ragone plot of these cells with thick cathodes (200 μm), (D) The Ragone plots of NGP, CB (carbon black), t-CB (chemically treated CB), and AC-based surface-mediated cells with thick cathodes. All energy density and power density values are cell-level values calculated based on total cell weights.

FIG. 9 Cyclic voltammetry (CV) diagrams of a graphene-based symmetric supercapacitor (left curve) and a corresponding surface-mediated cell of the present invention having a lithium source implemented at the anode (right curve).

FIG. 10 The Ragone plots of graphene surface-enabled Li ion-exchanging cells with different electrode thicknesses: The energy density and power density values were calculated based on total cell weight (A) and based on cathode weight only (B).

FIG. 11 Cycle performance of several SMCs: Cell N (chemically reduced graphene-based), Cell AC (activated carbon), and Cell M (exfoliated graphite from artificial graphite).

FIG. 12 The specific capacity plotted as a function of the electrode specific surface area for several cells. The electrodes were prepared from various different graphene related materials. The pristine graphene has essentially 100% carbon and no possibility of having any functional group, such as carbonyl or carboxylic group.

FIG. 13 Ragone plot of 4 carbon aerogel-based cells: SMC with carbon aerogel anode and cathode, 2 SMCs with graphene-enhanced carbon aerogel anode and cathode (voltage range of 1.5-4.5 volts and of 1.2-4.5 volts), and a carbon aerogel symmetric supercapacitors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting the claimed invention.

This invention provides an electrochemical energy storage device that is herein referred to as a surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging cell (or simply surface-mediated cell, SMC). This SMC device exhibits a power density significantly higher than the power densities of conventional supercapacitors and dramatically higher than those of conventional lithium ion batteries. This device exhibits an energy density comparable to or higher than those of batteries, and significantly higher than those of conventional supercapacitors.

This surface-mediated, ion-exchanging battery contains a positive electrode containing a non-functionalized carbon nano material having a lithium-storing or lithium-capturing surface. The non-functionalized material is preferably nano-structured with nano-scaled or meso-scaled pores and great amounts of surface areas containing no chemical functional group, such as —NH₂ or —COOH, for forming a redox pair with a lithium ion. The graphene surfaces alone, without these functional groups, are capable of capturing and storing lithium thereon. The SMC also contains a negative electrode (current collector and/or anode active material) containing a high surface area material having a lithium-storing or lithium-capturing surface (preferably nano-structured with nano-scaled or meso-scaled pores), a porous separator disposed between the two electrodes, a lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, and a lithium ion source implemented at the anode or the cathode. These lithium-capturing surfaces are in direct contact with electrolyte to directly capture lithium ions therefrom or to release lithium ions directly thereto. Preferred electrolyte types include organic liquid electrolyte, gel electrolyte, and ionic liquid electrolyte (preferably containing lithium ions), or a combination thereof, although one may choose to use aqueous or solid electrolytes.

The lithium ion source can be selected from a lithium chip, lithium foil, lithium powder, surface stabilized lithium particles, lithium film coated on a surface of an anode or cathode active material, or a combination thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the anode active material and/or current collector is prelithiated, or pre-coated or pre-plated with lithium. In addition to relatively pure lithium metal, the lithium source may be selected from a lithium metal alloy, a mixture of lithium metal or lithium alloy with a lithium intercalation compound, a lithiated compound, lithiated titanium dioxide, lithium titanate, lithium manganate, a lithium transition metal oxide, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, or a combination thereof. The lithium intercalation compound or lithiated compound may be selected from the following groups of materials: (a) Lithiated silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and mixtures thereof; (b) Lithiated alloys or intermetallic compounds of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Al, Ti, Co, Ni, Mn, Cd, and their mixtures; (c) Lithiated oxides, carbides, nitrides, sulfides, phosphides, selenides, tellurides, or antimonides of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Al, Fe, Ti, Co, Ni, Mn, Cd, and mixtures or composites thereof, or (d) Lithiated salts or hydroxides of Sn.

Although there is no limitation on the electrode thickness, the presently invented positive electrode preferably has a thickness greater than 5 μm, more preferably greater than 50 μm, and most preferably greater than 100 μm. An example of such a surface-mediated, ion-exchanging battery device is given in FIG. 1(D) and FIG. 2.

Theoretical Aspects (Lithium Ion Diffusion Kinetics of Conventional Lithium-ion Batteries, Super-Batteries, and the New Surface-Controlled, Ion-Exchanging Battery Device)

Not wishing to be constrained by any theory, we would like to offer the following theoretical considerations that perhaps are helpful to the readers. We will provide some insight as to how a surface-mediated energy storage device operates and why such a lithium ion-exchanging battery exhibits exceptional power densities un-matched by conventional supercapacitors and other devices. We will also shed some light on why the electrode thickness of a lithium cell (including the surface-mediated lithium ion-exchanging cell, partially surface-mediated lithium super-battery, and conventional lithium-ion battery) plays such a critical role in dictating the power density in such a dramatic manner.

The internal structure of a conventional lithium-ion battery may be schematically shown in FIG. 1(A). In a battery discharge situation, lithium ions must diffuse (de-intercalate) out from the bulk of an anode active material particle, such as graphite, silicon, and lithium titanate (particle diameter=d_(a) and the average solid-state diffusion distance=d_(a)/2), and then migrate in liquid electrolyte across the anode thickness (anode layer thickness=La and the average diffusion distance=La/2). Subsequently, lithium ions must move (in liquid electrolyte) across a porous separator (thickness=Ls), diffuse across part of the cathode thickness (thickness=Lc) in liquid electrolyte to reach a particular cathode active material particle (average diffusion distance=Lc/2), and then diffuse into (intercalate) the bulk of a particle (diameter=d_(c) and the average solid-state diffusion distance required=d_(c)/2). In a re-charge situation, the lithium ions move in the opposite direction, but must travel approximately the same distances.

In other words, the operation of a conventional lithium-ion battery involves de-intercalation of lithium ions from the bulk (not the surface) of an electrode active material particle in one electrode (e.g., anode, during discharge) and intercalation of lithium ions into the bulk of an electrode active material particle in the opposite electrode (e.g. cathode). In general, diffusion through a liquid electrolyte is fast, but diffusion through a solid is dramatically slower (by 3-8 orders of magnitude). The presently invented surface-mediated cell (SMC) operates essentially on the exchange of massive lithium ions between the porous electrodes' surfaces (and not in the bulk of the electrode, as in lithium-ion batteries). This strategy completely removes the need for the time-consuming process of lithium intercalation and de-intercalation. The SMC is essentially intercalation-free, with most of the lithium being stored on the massive surface areas of the electrode active materials. Typically >90% of lithium atoms are captured on graphene surfaces, and more typically less than 1% of lithium could accidentally enter the interior of a multi-layer graphene structure. The charge/discharge time of a SMC is limited only by the migration of lithium ions through liquid electrolyte (organic or ionic liquid), which is very fast and results in ultra-high power densities unmatched even by the supercapacitors (which are noted for their high power densities). This is further explained in what follows:

Assume that the diffusion coefficient of Li ions in a particular medium is D and a required travel distance is x, then the required diffusion time can be approximated as t˜x²/D, according to a well-known kinetics equation. As a first-order of approximation, the total required time scale for a lithium ion to complete a charge or discharge process may be estimated as:

t _(total)=(La/2)² /D _(electrolyte)+(d _(a)/2)² /D _(a)+(Ls)² /D _(s)+(Lc/2)² /D _(electroyte)+(d _(c)/2)² /D _(c)  (1)

where D_(electrolyte)=Li ion diffusion coefficient in electrolyte, D_(a)=Li ion diffusion coefficient in an anode active material particle, D_(s)=Li ion diffusion coefficient through a porous separator, and D_(c)=Li ion diffusion coefficient in a cathode active material particle.

Representative diffusion coefficients of Li⁺ in or through various liquid mediums or solid membrane or particles are given below (based on open literature data): liquid electrolyte (2×10⁻⁶ cm²/s); separator (7.5×10⁻⁷ cm²/s); LiFePO₄ cathode (10⁻¹³ cm²/s); Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode (10⁻¹³ to 10⁻⁹ cm²/s); nano-Si anode (10⁻¹² cm²/s); graphite anode (1-4×10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s); and Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anode (1.3×10⁻¹¹ cm²/s). This implies that, for a conventional lithium ion battery cell wherein LiFePO₄ particles are used as a cathode active material, the final term, (d_(c)/2)²/D_(c), in Eq. (1) dominates the required total diffusion time due to its excessively low diffusion coefficient. Actually, the value of diffusion coefficient varies between 10⁻¹⁰ and 10⁻¹⁶ cm²/s, depending on the lithium content in solid solution Li_(X)FePO₄ and Li_(1-X)FePO₄ (X<0.02) or the LiFePO₄/FePO₄ phase ratio.

In contrast, in a super-battery (partially surface-mediated cell) containing a meso-porous cathode of a functionalized nano carbon material (e.g., graphene, CNT, or disordered carbon) and a lithium metal foil as the anode (schematically illustrated in FIG. 1(C)), Li ions do not have to diffuse through a solid-state cathode particle and, hence, are not subject to the limitation by a low solid-state diffusion coefficient at the cathode (e.g. 10⁻¹³ cm²/s in a LiFePO₄ particle). Instead, the cathode active materials are highly porous, allowing liquid electrolyte to reach the interior of the pores where the functional groups are present to readily and reversibly react with lithium ions that diffuse into these pores through a liquid medium (not a solid medium) with a high diffusion coefficient (e.g., 2×10⁻⁶ cm²/s). In such a super-battery, the final term, (d_(c)/2)²/D_(c), in Eq. (1) is practically non-existing. The required total diffusion time is now dictated by the thicknesses of the electrodes and the separator. The above discussion is based on the premise that the reversible reaction between a functional group and a lithium ion in the electrolyte is fast, and the whole charge-discharge process is not reaction-controlled.

In a prior art lithium-ion capacitor (LIC), the cathode is a meso-porous structure of a nano carbon material (e.g., activated carbon), but lithium titanate or graphite particles constitute the anode (schematically illustrated in FIG. 1(B)). In a cell discharge situation, lithium ions must diffuse out of lithium titanate particles or graphite particles (a slow de-intercalation step), and then migrate in liquid electrolyte across the anode thickness. Subsequently, lithium ions must move (in liquid electrolyte) across a porous separator, diffuse across part of the cathode thickness in liquid electrolyte to reach a location close to a surface area of a nano-structured cathode active material. There is no need for solid-state diffusion at the cathode side. The whole process is essentially dictated by the solid-state diffusion at the anode. Hence, this LIC should exhibit a slower kinetic process (hence, a lower power density) as compared to the super-battery (partially surface-mediated).

By plugging representative values of the various parameters in Eq. (1) we obtain the total lithium migration time required of a battery charge or discharge process for several conventional lithium-ion battery types and several prior art lithium super-battery cells and LICs. The first group is a conventional lithium-ion battery with a graphite particle anode and lithium iron phosphate cathode (Gr/LiFePO₄). The second and third groups are both conventional Li-ion batteries with a LiFePO₄ cathode and a Si particle- or lithium titanate-based anode, respectively (Nano-Si/LiFePO₄ and Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/LiFePO₄). The fourth group is a LIC (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/f-CNM) where the anode is composed of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ particles and the cathode is functionalized carbon nano material (f-CNM), such as CNT or activated carbon (AC). The fifth group is a partially surface-mediated cell (Li foil/f-CNM) where the anode is a lithium foil and the cathode is a carbon nano material. These data are shown in Table 1(a) and (b) below:

TABLE 1(a) Parameters used in the present calculations (CNM = carbon nano materials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nano graphene platelets (NGPs), disordered carbon, etc; Gr = graphite). Anode D_(li) in Cathode D_(li) in Total D_(li) in Particle anode Sep. D_(li) in Particle cathode diffusion Cell Type Electrolyte La Dia., da particle thick. separator Lc Dia., dc particle time (Anode/Cathode) cm²/s (um) (um) cm²/s (um) cm²/s (um) (um) cm²/s (sec) Gr/LiFePO₄ 1.00E−06 200 20 2.00E−10 100 7.50E−07 200 1 1.0E−13 3.02E+04 Gr/LiFePO₄-nano 1.00E−06 200 20 2.00E−10 100 7.50E−07 200 0.1 1.0E−13 5.48E+03 Gr/LiFePO₄-nano 1.00E−06 200 1 2.00E−10 100 7.50E−07 200 0.1 1.0E−13 4.96E+02 Nano-Si/LiFePO₄ 1.00E−06 200 0.1 1.00E−12 100 7.50E−07 200 0.1 1.0E−13 5.08E+02 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/LiFePO₄ 1.00E−06 200 0.1 1.30E−11 100 7.50E−07 200 0.1 1.0E−13 4.85E+02 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/LiFePO₄ 1.00E−06 100 0.05 1.30E−11 50 7.50E−07 100 0.05 1.0E−13 1.21E+02 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/f-CNM 1.00E−06 200 0.1 1.30E−11 100 7.50E−07 200 0.1 1.0E−6 2.35E+02 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/f-CNM 1.00E−06 20 0.1 1.30E−11 20 7.50E−07 20 0.1 1.0E−6 5.26E+00 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/f-CNM 1.00E−06 2 0.1 1.30E−11 2 7.50E−07 2 0.1 1.0E−6 1.96E+00 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/f-CNM 1.00E−06 2 0.1 1.30E−11 2 1.00E−06 0.2 0.1 1.0E−6 1.94E+00 Li foil/f-CNM 1.00E−06 10 0 1.30E−11 10 7.50E−07 0.3 0.1 1.0E−6 5.84E−01 Li foil/f-CNM 1.00E−06 10 0 1.30E−11 10 7.50E−07 3 0.1 1.0E−6 6.06E−01 Li foil/f-CNM 1.00E−06 30 0 1.30E−11 10 7.50E−07 30 0.1 1.0E−6 4.83E+00 Li foil/f-CNM 1.00E−06 30 0 1.30E−11 10 7.50E−07 200 0.1 1.0E−6 1.03E+02

TABLE 1(b) The required diffusion time to reach a particle in the anode (t_(La)), diffusion in the anode particle (ta), diffusion time through the separator (ts), diffusion time to reach a cathode particle (t_(Lc)), and the diffusion time in the cathode particle (tc). Total Total t_(La) Ta Ts t_(Lc) Tc time time (sec) (sec) (sec) (sec) (sec) (sec) (hours) Cell type 1.00E+02 5.00E+03 3.33E+01 1.00E+02 1.39E+05 3.02E+04 8.40 Gr/LiFePO₄ 1.00E+02 5.00E+03 3.33E+01 1.00E+02 1.39E+03 5.48E+03 1.52 Gr/LiFePO₄-nano 1.00E+02 1.25E+01 3.33E+01 1.00E+02 1.39E+03 4.96E+02 0.138 Gr/LiFePO₄-nano 1.00E+02 2.50E+01 3.33E+01 1.00E+02 1.39E+03 5.08E+02 0.141 Nano-Si/LiFePO₄-n 1.00E+02 1.92E+00 3.33E+01 1.00E+02 1.39E+03 4.85E+02 0.135 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/LiFePO₄-n 2.50E+01 4.81E−01 8.33E+00 2.50E+01 3.47E+02 1.21E+02 0.00337 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/LiFePO₄-n 1.00E+02 1.92E+00 3.33E+01 1.00E+02 2.50E−05 2.35E+02 6.53E−02 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/f-CNM 1.00E+00 1.92E+00 1.33E+00 1.00E+00 2.50E−05 5.26E+00 1.46E−03 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/f-CNM 1.00E−02 1.92E+00 1.33E−02 1.00E−02 2.50E−05 1.96E+00 5.43E−04 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/f-CNM 1.00E−02 1.92E+00 1.00E−02 1.00E−04 2.50E−05 1.94E+00 5.40E−04 Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/f-CNM 2.50E−01 0.00E+00 3.33E−01 2.25E−04 2.50E−05 5.84E−01 1.62E−04 Li foil/f-CNM 2.50E−01 0.00E+00 3.33E−01 2.25E−02 2.50E−05 6.06E−01 1.68E−04 Li foil/f-CNM 2.25E+00 0.00E+00 3.33E−01 2.25E+00 2.50E−05 4.83E+00 1.34E−03 Li foil/f-CNM 2.25E+00 0.00E+00 3.33E−01 1.00E+02 2.50E−05 1.03E+02 2.85E−02 Li foil/f-CNM

Several significant observations can be made from the data of Table 1(a) and (b):

-   -   (1) Conventional lithium ion batteries (first group above)         featuring a micron-sized graphite particle anode (graphite         diameter=20 μm) and a micron-sized LiFePO₄ cathode (particle         diameter=1 μm) would require several hours (e.g. 8.4 h) to         complete the required lithium ion diffusion process. This is why         conventional lithium ion batteries exhibit very low power         densities (typically 100-500 W/Kg) and very long re-charge         times.     -   (2) This problem of a long diffusion time can be partially         alleviated by using nano-scaled particles, as in the second and         third groups above (e.g., 8 minutes if both the anode and         cathode active material particles have a diameter of 100 nm).     -   (3) In contrast, for the LIC featuring a carbon cathode (e.g.         f-CNT) and an anode of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ nano particles, the required         diffusion times are between 235 sec (<4 minutes) for a cathode         thickness of 200 μm and 1.96 sec for an ultra-thin cathode         (e.g., 0.3 μm LBL f-CNT as prepared by the layer-by-layer method         of the MIT research group [S. W. Lee, et al, Nature         Nanotechnology, 5 (2010) 531-537; and Y. Shao-Horn, et al. US         Pub. No. 2010/0159366, Jun. 24, 2010]). Unfortunately, such an         ultra-thin electrode (0.3-3 μm) prepared by a non-scalable         layer-by-layer (LBL) is of extremely limited utility value.     -   (4) For the lithium super-batteries (partially         surface-mediated), the electrode thickness is a dominating         factor. For instance, in the case of using lithium metal foil as         the anode (first type), the total diffusion time can be as short         as <0.6 sec (when the cathode thickness is 0.3 μm or 3 μm),         which increases to 103 sec (still less than 2 minutes) when the         cathode thickness is 200 μm.     -   (5) The above observations imply that the lithium         super-batteries should have an extraordinary power density,         particularly when the electrodes are ultra-thin. This is why         Lee, et al. at MIT were able to report a power density of 100         Kw/Kg for their lithium super-battery cells having a LBL f-CNT         cathode of 0.3 μm thick. However, a useful electrode size is at         least 50 μm in thickness (typically between 100 and 300 μm) and,         again, the cells with a cathode thickness of 0.3-3.0 μm have         very limited practical utility value. The exceptionally high         power densities observed for the lithium super-batteries with a         LBL f-CNT cathode reported by Lee, et al are due to the         ultra-thin cathode thickness (0.3 μm). As shown in FIG. 11, our         graphene-based surface-mediated cells (typically having an         electrode thickness of 100-300 μm) even perform better than the         thin electrode-based LBL f-CNT cell (partially surface         mediated). Our electrodes are prepared by the techniques         commonly used by the lithium-ion battery industry using exactly         the same equipment. The LBL process is not scalable and not         compatible with existing battery production lines. This is a         highly significant issue.         It may be noted that the above calculations for the         super-batteries containing a lithium foil as the anode are         applicable to the instant surface-mediated energy storage device         as well, with the exception that the lithium foil thickness may         be replaced by the thickness of a nano-structured anode. The         lithium source (lithium particles or pieces of lithium foil)         would not add additional anode thickness value in the time         calculations since the nano-structured anode is “elastic” or         compressible. The lithium foil may be compressed against the         nano-structured anode, or the lithium particles may be         incorporated in the nano-structured anode when the battery         device is made. Once lithium particles or foil are ionized         during the first discharge cycle, the nano-structured anode         (e.g. NGP or CNT-based mat) would snap back to touch the         separator. Based on the above calculations, the required         diffusion times for the super-battery (partially         surface-mediated) and those for the totally surface-controlled         (surface-mediated) cell should be approximately the same.

Fully Surface-Mediated Cell Versus Lithium Super-Battery (Partially Surface-Mediated)

It may be noted that, for the lithium super-battery (Li foil/f-CNM) where the anode is a lithium foil, there is no anode particle and, hence, no particle diameter (d_(a) was assigned as zero in the above calculation). During the first discharge, Li foil is electrochemically ionized to release ions. In the above calculations, this surface-controlled reaction was assumed to be fast and not rate-limiting. In reality, this surface reaction can become rate-limiting when a high discharge rate is required (i.e. when the external circuit or load demands a high current density). This limitation may not be controlled by the surface ionization rate itself, but instead by the limited amount of surface area of the lithium foil during the first discharge cycle. In other words, at a given moment of time during the first discharge, there is only so much surface area from which lithium ions can be released simultaneously.

During the re-charge cycle, lithium ions move back from the cathode to the anode side, trying to re-deposit onto a surface of the anode current collector (e.g. a copper foil), which is the only surface available at the anode of a super-battery (partially surface-mediated cell). There are two serious issues associated with using a current collector (e.g. copper foil) alone to accommodate the in-flux of massive lithium ions during re-charge:

-   -   (1) If the re-charge rate is high (with a high circuit current         density), the huge numbers of lithium ions that rapidly migrate         back to the anode side are all trying to deposit simultaneously         onto the surface of a current collector, which typically has a         very low surface area (specific surface area typically <<1 m²/g         for Cu foil). This limited surface area becomes deposition         rate-limiting.     -   (2) If the re-charge rate is low (with a low current density),         the returning lithium ions could find a way to deposit onto the         current collector surface in a non-uniform manner. Certain         favorable spots will receive more deposited lithium atoms first,         and these spots could continue to be deposited at a higher rate.         Such a non-uniform lithium deposition could lead to the         formation of dendrites at the anode, which could grow longer and         longer as the number of cycles increases, and eventually         penetrate through the separator to reach the cathode side,         causing internal shorting. This possibility could pose a similar         problem that plagued the lithium metal battery industry in late         1980s and eventually resulted in the termination of essentially         all the lithium metal cell productions in early 1990s. We would         not want to see this potential internal shorting problem lead to         the same disastrous result.

After an extensive and in-depth study, the applicants have solved these two issues by implementing a nano-structured anode between an anode current collector and a porous separator. This nano-structured anode is preferably composed of a nano carbon material having a high specific surface area (preferably greater than 100 m²/g), such as the nano graphene platelet (NGP, collectively referring to both single-layer and multi-layer versions of graphene, graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, doped graphene, etc), non-functionalized carbon nano-tube (single-walled or multi-walled), carbon nano-fiber (vapor-grown, electro-spun polymer derived, etc), disordered carbon, metal nano-wire, conductive nano-wire, etc. The nano-structured anode preferably has a specific surface area greater than 100 m²/g, more preferably greater than 500 m²/g, further preferably greater than 1,000 m²/g, even more preferably greater than 1,500 m²/g, and most preferably greater than 2,000 m²/g. These surfaces are preferably in direct contact with electrolyte (preferably organic liquid electrolyte) to capture lithium ions directly therefrom or to release lithium ions directly thereto.

It is quite unexpected for us to observe that the implementation of this nano-structured anode significantly increases not only the power density (Kw/Kg), but also the energy density (Wh/Kg) of the presently invented surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging energy storage device. We were really very surprised to observe these highly significant observations (presented in the Examples of this specification). Not wishing to be limited by the theory, but we believe that this newly implemented nano-structured anode plays at least the following three roles:

-   -   (1) During the re-charge cycle, the massive surface areas of         this nano-structured anode enable huge numbers of lithium ions         to be rapidly deposited simultaneously in a high current density         situation (high charge rate). This makes it possible for the         energy storage device to be re-charged in seconds or fractions         of a second. This had not been possible with any prior art         lithium metal or lithium ion battery, or any prior art lithium         super-battery (partially surface-mediated).     -   (2) During the first discharge operation of a freshly made         surface-mediated energy storage device of the instant invention,         the lithium foil or lithium particles get ionized, releasing         lithium ions at the anode which travel into the cathode side and         get captured by the graphene surfaces of the cathode. Upon         re-charging, these lithium ions return to the anode and         uniformly deposit onto the massive surfaces of the         nano-structured anode, forming an ultra-thin coating of lithium         thereon. Such a huge surface area of lithium-decorated surfaces         enables simultaneous release of great amounts of lithium ions         during subsequent discharge cycles. This concurrent, massive         releasing of lithium ions had not been possible in a battery         with an anode current collector alone whose specific surface         area is normally much less than 1 m²/g. The high specific         surface area of the nano-structured anode, >>100 m²/g, enables         both fast charging and fast discharging, achieving an         unprecedented power density.     -   (3) The nano-structured anode, electronically connected to a         current collector, also provides a uniform electric field in the         anode space, allowing the returning lithium ions to more         homogeneously deposit onto the surface of nano materials (e.g.         graphene). Since huge surface areas are available for this         purpose, only an extremely small amount of lithium is deposited         onto any single spot, insufficient for the growth of a dendrite.         These reasons imply that the presently invented         surface-controlled energy storage device is a safer energy         storage device.

Surface-Controlled Battery Device Versus Prior Art Supercapacitors

This new surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging battery device is also patently distinct from the conventional supercapacitor in the following aspects:

-   -   (1) The conventional or prior art supercapacitors do not have a         lithium ion source implemented at the anode when the cell is         made.     -   (2) The electrolytes used in these prior art supercapacitors are         mostly lithium-free or non-lithium-based. Even when a lithium         salt is used in a supercapacitor electrolyte, the solubility of         lithium salt in a solvent essentially sets an upper limit on the         amount of lithium ions that can participate in the formation of         electric double layers of charges inside the electrolyte phase         (near but not on an electrode material surface, as illustrated         in FIG. 3(B)). As a consequence, the specific capacitance and         energy density of the resulting supercapacitor are relatively         low (e.g. typically <6 Wh/kg based on total cell weight), as         opposed to, for instance, 160 Wh/kg (based on total cell weight)         of the presently invented surface-mediated cells.     -   (3) The prior art supercapacitors are based on either the         electric double layer (EDL) mechanism or the pseudo-capacitance         mechanism to store their charges. In both mechanisms, no massive         lithium ions are exchanged between the two electrodes (even when         a lithium salt is used in electrolyte). In the EDL mechanism,         for instance, the cations and anions in the electrolyte swim to         opposite electrodes to form electric double layers of charges         near the surfaces of an electrode active material (but not on         the surface) when the EDL supercapacitor is charged. The cations         are not captured or stored in or on the surfaces of the         electrode active material. In contrast, when a SMC is charged,         the cations (Li⁺ ions) are electro-plated on the surface of a         current collector or deposited on the surfaces of an anode         active material.

When an EDL supercapacitor is discharged, the cations simply leave the EDL zones near the anode side and the anions leave the EDL zones near the cathode side; both the cations and the anions are randomly dispersed in the liquid electrolyte. (The cations are not transferred to the cathode to deposit on the cathode surfaces.) In contrast, using graphene as an example of an electrode active material in a SMC of the present invention, lithium ions are rapidly released from the anode surfaces and swim across the separator into the cathode zones. The lithium ions are captured by or trapped at the defect sites, graphene edges, or benzene ring centers of a graphene sheet at the cathode. In our co-pending application (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/928,927), functional groups on graphene surfaces at the cathode are used to capture lithium ions. In the instant application, a non-functionalized material (having no functional group) with high surface areas in direct contact with liquid electrolyte use the benzene ring centers and surface defects of graphene sheets to capture lithium ions from electrolyte. In other words, massive lithium ions are shuttled between the anode surfaces and the cathode surfaces during the charge and discharge of a SMC.

-   -   (4) The prior art symmetric supercapacitors (EDL         supercapacitors) using a lithium salt-based organic electrolyte         operate only in the range of 0-2.7 volts. They cannot operate         above 2.7 volts; there is no additional charge storing         capability beyond 2.7 volts. We have tested a broad array of         carbon nano materials (including graphene, CNT, meso-porous         carbon, activated carbon, carbon black, carbon fiber, carbon         aerogel, etc) and found that the symmetric supercapacitors using         the same lithium-containing organic electrolyte as in the SMC         just could not be charged to beyond 2.7 volts and actually the         organic electrolyte typically begins to break down at 2.7 volts.

In contrast, the surface-mediated cells of the present invention operate typically in the range of 0.6-4.5 volts, most typically in the range of 1.2-4.5 volts (e.g. please see FIG. 9), but often in the range of 1.5-4.5 volts. These two ranges of operating voltage are reflections of totally distinct charge storage mechanisms. Even though, on the paper, there appears to be an overlap of 1.5-2.7 volts between these two voltage ranges (range of 1-2.7 and range of 1.5-4.5 volts), this overlap is artificial, sheer coincidental, and not scientifically meaningful since the charge storage mechanisms are fundamentally different, as evidenced by the two vastly different cyclic voltammetry (CV) diagrams in FIG. 9.

-   -   (5) The prior art EDL supercapacitors typically have an         open-circuit voltage of essentially 0 volts. In contrast, the         SMC typically has an open-circuit voltage of >0.6 volts, more         commonly >0.8 volts, and most commonly >1.2 volts (some >1.5         volts or even >2.5 volts, depending on the type and amount of         the anode active material relative to the cathode, and the         amount of the lithium source).     -   (6) The Ragone plots of FIGS. 10(A) and (B) have nicely         demonstrated that the surface-mediated cells of the present         invention are a class of energy storage cells by itself,         distinct from both supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries.     -   (7) FIG. 11 show the cycle performance of several SMCs: Cell N         (graphene-based), Cell AC (activated carbon), and Cell M         (exfoliated graphite from artificial graphite). The observation         that some of the SMCs show an continuing increase in capacity         with the number of charge/discharge cycles (after some minor         initial decay) further demonstrates the uniqueness of SMCs from         either supercapacitors or lithium-ion batteries.

Charge Storage Mechanisms and Energy Density Considerations

Not wishing to be limited by theory, but we think that the specific capacity of an electrode in a Li-ion exchanging, surface-mediated cell (SMC) is governed by the number of active sites on graphene surfaces of a nano-structured carbon material that are capable of capturing lithium ions therein or thereon. The nano-structured carbon material may be selected from activated carbon (AC), carbon black (CB), hard carbon, soft carbon, exfoliated graphite (EG), and isolated graphene sheets (nano graphene platelet or NGP) from natural graphite or artificial graphite. These carbon materials have a common building block—graphene or graphene-like aromatic ring structure. We think that there are four possible lithium storage mechanisms:

-   -   Mechanism 1: The geometric center of a benzene ring in a         graphene plane is an active site for a lithium atom to adsorb         onto;     -   Mechanism 2: The defect site on a graphene sheet is capable of         trapping a lithium ion;     -   Mechanism 3: The cations (Li⁺) and anions (from a Li salt) in         the liquid electrolyte are capable of forming electric double         layers of charges near the electrode material surfaces;     -   Mechanism 4: A functional group on a graphene surface/edge can         form a redox pair with a lithium ion.

Surface Bonding Mechanism (Mechanism 1):

Lithium atoms are capable of forming stable interactions with C atoms on a graphene plane when electrolyte is not present to compete for lithium. The Li—C bond in such a layer (without a functional group) would not result in an sp² to an sp³ transition of carbon orbitals. Energy calculations have indicated the possible stability of such Li atom-adsorbed graphene layers (with lithium atoms bonded to the centers of benzene rings of a graphene plane) without the presence of electrolyte. We have surprisingly observed that the Li-adsorbed graphene layer (FIG. 3(D)) can be spontaneously formed in the presence of electrolyte. This was unexpected since lithium ions have excellent chemical compatibility with other ingredients in the electrolyte (this is why they naturally exist in the electrolyte) and these ingredients (e.g. solvent) would compete against the graphene surface for trying to keep the lithium ions in the solvent phase, as opposed to being “high-jacked” by graphene surface. The bonding between lithium atoms and graphene surface has been most surprisingly strong.

Lithium Ion Trapping at Defect Sites (Mechanism 2):

Active defects such as edges and vacancies (e.g. FIG. 3(D)) in carbonaceous materials might be capable of accommodating additional Li. There are a large number of these defects or disorder sites in NGPs inevitably induced by the oxidation and reduction processes commonly used for graphene production.

Electric Double Layer (EDL) (Mechanism 3):

The SMC electrolyte is typically composed of a lithium ion salt dissolved in a solvent. The electrolytic salts can be selected from lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆), lithium borofluoride (LiBF₄), lithium hexafluoroarsenide (LiAsF₆), and lithium trifluoro-metasulfonate (LiCF₃SO₃), etc. In principle, as illustrated in FIG. 3(B), some electric double layers (EDL) may be conceptually formed by cations (e.g. Li⁺) and their counter ions (e.g. PF₆ ⁻ and BF₄ ⁻ anions) and this EDL contribution to the energy storage capacity of a SMC cell is governed by the electrolytic salt concentration in solvent.

Given a sufficient amount of electrode surface areas, the maximum contribution of Mechanism 3 to the overall charge storage capacity is dictated by the concentration of cations or anions. The EDL mechanism typically contributes to less than approximately 10% (more typically <5%) of the total lithium ion storage capacity of a SMC, explained below: We have prepared and tested several symmetric supercapacitors each composed of two identical graphene- or other nano-structured electrodes (anode and cathode having identical compositions), but with the anode having no Li metal foil/power as a lithium source and no pre-lithiation. For instance, shown in FIG. 9 are CV diagrams of a graphene-based supercapacitor and the corresponding SMC. In both cells, the electrolyte is 1M LiPF₆/EC+DMC and the scan rate is 25 mV/s. It is of interest to note that this organic electrolyte can only operate from 0 to <2.7 volts in a symmetric supercapacitor configuration, but can operate from 1.5 to 4.5 volts in the SMC configuration. This has been most surprising since no organic electrolyte (based on organic solvent) in a supercapacitor has been able to operate up to 4.0 volts (more typically <<3.0 volts). Organic electrolytes are defined as those electrolytes that are not based on water or ionic liquid, but containing organic solvent. The capacity representing the overlapped voltage range of 1.5 volts to 2.7 volts covers less than 5% of the total capacity of the SMC. Actually, the operation of the SMC, even within the voltage range of 1.5-2.7 volts, is mainly through surface capturing, not the electric double layer formation.

Formation of Redox Pairs (Mechanism 4):

A surface redox reaction can occur between a lithium ion and a functional group (if any), such as carbonyl (>C═O) or carboxylic group (—COOH), as illustrated in FIG. 3(A). The presence of functional groups, such as —COOH and >C═O, in chemically prepared graphene oxide have been well documented. The formation of these functional groups is a natural result of the oxidizing reactions of graphite by sulfuric acid and strong oxidizing agents (e.g. nitric acid and potassium permanganate commonly used in the preparation of graphene oxide). Both un-separated graphite worms (exfoliated graphite) and the separated graphene sheets (NGPs) can have surface- or edge-borne functional groups. This is the primary lithium storing mechanism disclosed in our co-pending application (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/928,927). The SMC in the instant application is based mainly upon Mechanisms 1 and 2.

Another significant advantage of the instant invention not using functionalized nano carbon material or oxidized carbon nanotube is the dramatically improved safety. The oxidized or functionalized CNTs contain a significant amount of oxygen as disclosed by Lee, et al. Analogous to the conventional lithium-ion battery cathodes (e.g. lithium transition metal oxides, such as LiMnO₄), the presence of high oxygen content is a potential fire and explosion hazard. Our non-functionalized carbon electrode materials have very little or no oxygen and are intrinsically much safer.

In general, the electric double layer mechanism contributes to less than 10% (mostly less than 5%) of the charge storage capacity of a SMC. When either the anode or the cathode contains some multi-layer graphene platelets, there might be some intercalation of lithium into the bulk of an active material if the SMC operating voltage goes below 1.5 volts. With a lower voltage limit of 1.2 volts, no more than 30% of the lithium is stored in the bulk of an anode active material when the device is in a charged state, or no more than 30% of the lithium is stored in the bulk of the cathode active material when the device is in a discharged state. Typically, with a lower voltage limit of 0.8 volts, no more than 50% of the lithium is stored in the bulk of the anode active material when the device is in a charged state, or no more than 50% of the lithium is stored in the bulk of the cathode active material when the device is in a discharged state.

Nano-structured materials for use in the anode or cathode of the instant invention may preferably contain nano graphene platelet (NGP), non-functionalized and non-oxidized carbon nano-tube (CNT), disordered carbon, exfoliated graphite, activated carbon, meso-porous carbon, carbon black, carbon aerogel or foam, carbon nano-fiber, graphitic fiber, or a combination thereof. In most of our electrode materials, the oxygen content is less than 5% by weight and, more typically, essentially 0%. The CNT is a better known material in the nano material industry and, hence, will not be further discussed herein. What follows is a description of NGP, nano-structured disordered carbon, and carbon aerogel:

Nano Graphene Platelet (NGP)

The applicant's research group was the first in the world to discover single-layer graphene [B. Z. Jang and W. C. Huang, “Nano-scaled Graphene Plates,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/274,473 (Oct. 21, 2002); now U.S. Pat. No. 7,071,258 (Jul. 4, 2006)] and the first to use graphene for supercapacitor [L. Song, A. Zhamu, J. Guo, and B. Z. Jang “Nano-scaled Graphene Plate Nanocomposites for Supercapacitor Electrodes” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/499,861 (Aug. 7, 2006), now U.S. Pat. No. 7,623,340 (Nov. 24, 2009)], and for lithium-ion battery applications [A. Zhamu and B. Z. Jang, “Nano Graphene Platelet-Based Composite Anode Compositions for Lithium Ion Batteries,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/982,672 (Nov. 5, 2007), now U.S. Pat. No. 7,745,047 (Jun. 29, 2010)].

Single-layer graphene or the graphene plane (a layer of carbon atoms forming a hexagonal or honeycomb-like structure) is a common building block of a wide array of graphitic materials, including natural graphite, artificial graphite, soft carbon, hard carbon, coke, activated carbon, carbon black, etc. In these graphitic materials, typically multiple graphene sheets are stacked along the graphene thickness direction to form an ordered domain or crystallite of graphene planes. Multiple crystallites of domains are then connected with disordered or amorphous carbon species. In the instant application, we are able to extract or isolate these crystallites or domains to obtain multiple-layer graphene platelets out of the disordered carbon species. In some cases, we exfoliate and separate these multiple-graphene platelets into isolated single-layer graphene sheets. In other cases (e.g. in activated carbon, hard carbon, and soft carbon), we chemically removed some of the disordered carbon species to open up gates, allowing liquid electrolyte to enter into the interior (exposing graphene surfaces to electrolyte).

In the present application, nano graphene platelets (NGPs) or “graphene materials” collectively refer to single-layer and multi-layer versions of graphene, graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, etc.

For the purpose of defining the geometry of an NGP, the NGP is described as having a length (the largest dimension), a width (the second largest dimension), and a thickness. The thickness is the smallest dimension, which is no greater than 100 nm and, in the present application, no greater than 10 nm (preferably no greater than 5 nm). The NGP may be single-layer graphene. When the platelet is approximately circular in shape, the length and width are referred to as diameter. In the presently defined NGPs, there is no limitation on the length and width, but they are preferably smaller than 10 μm and more preferably smaller than 1 μm. We have been able to produce NGPs with length smaller than 100 nm or larger than 10 μm. The NGP can be pristine graphene (with essentially 0% oxygen content, typically <2% oxygen) or graphene oxide (typically from 10 up to approximately 45% by weight oxygen). Graphene oxide can be thermally or chemically reduced to become reduced graphene oxide (typically with an oxygen content of 1-20%, mostly below 5% by weight). For use in the anode and/or the cathode of the lithium super-battery and functional material-based surface-controlled cells disclosed in our earlier applications, the oxygen content was preferably in the range of 5% to 30% by weight, and more preferably in the range of 10% to 30% by weight. However, in the instant application, the SMC electrode typically has less than 5% oxygen (hence, essentially functional group-free) and, in many cases, less than 2%. The specific surface area accessible to liquid electrolyte is the single most important parameter in dictating the energy and power densities of a SMC.

Despite the fact that individual graphene sheets have an exceptionally high specific surface area, flat-shaped graphene sheets prepared by conventional routes have a great tendency to re-stack together or overlap with one another, thereby dramatically reducing the specific surface area that is accessible by the electrolyte. FIG. 5(A) shows a new breed of graphene that is herein referred to as the curved graphene platelet or sheet. Curved NGPs are capable of forming a meso-porous structure having a desired pore size range (e.g. slightly >2 nm) when they were stacked together to form an electrode. This size range appears to be conducive to being accessible by the commonly used lithium-containing electrolytes.

The curved NGPs may be produced by using the following recommended procedures:

-   (a) dispersing or immersing a laminar graphite material (e.g.,     natural graphite powder) in a mixture of an intercalant and an     oxidant (e.g., concentrated sulfuric acid and nitric acid,     respectively) to obtain a graphite intercalation compound (GIC) or     graphite oxide (GO); -   (b) exposing the resulting GIC or GO to a thermal shock, preferably     in a temperature range of 600-1,100° C. for a short period of time     (typically 15 to 60 seconds), to obtain exfoliated graphite or     graphite worms (some oxidized NGPs with a thickness <100 nm could be     formed at this stage if the intercalation/oxidation step was allowed     to proceed for a sufficiently long duration of time; e.g. >24     hours); -   (c) dispersing the exfoliated graphite to a liquid medium to obtain     a graphene-liquid suspension (a functionalizing agent may be added     into this suspension if functional groups are desired, as in our     co-pending application); -   (d) aerosolizing the graphene-liquid suspension into liquid droplets     while concurrently removing the liquid to recover curved NGPs.     Without the aerosolizing step, the resulting graphene platelets tend     to be flat-shaped.

It may be noted that steps (a) to (b) are the most commonly used steps to obtain exfoliated graphite (FIG. 5B) and graphene oxide platelets in the field. Step (d) is essential to the production of curved graphene sheets. Oxidized NGPs or GO platelets may be chemically reduced to recover conductivity properties using hydrazine as a reducing agent, before, during, or after chemical functionalization.

In 2007, we reported a direct ultrasonication method of producing pristine nano graphene directly from graphite particles dispersed in a surfactant-water suspension [A. Zhamu, et al, “Method of Producing Exfoliated Graphite, Flexible Graphite, and Nano-Scaled Graphene Plates,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/800,728 (May 8, 2007)]. This method entails dispersing natural graphite particles in a low surface tension liquid, such as acetone or hexane. The resulting suspension is then subjected to direct ultrasonication for 10-120 minutes, which produces graphene at a rate equivalent to 20,000 attempts to peel off graphene sheets per second per particle. The graphite has never been intercalated or oxidized and, hence, requires no subsequent chemical reduction. This method is fast, environmentally benign, and can be readily scaled up, paving the way to the mass production of pristine nano graphene materials. The same method was later studied by others and now more commonly referred to as the “liquid phase production.”

Nano-Structured Disordered Carbon

The disordered carbon material may be selected from a broad array of carbonaceous materials, such as a soft carbon, hard carbon, polymeric carbon (or carbonized resin), meso-phase carbon, coke, carbonized pitch, carbon black, activated carbon, or partially graphitized carbon. As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3(A) and (B), a disordered carbon material is typically formed of two phases wherein a first phase is small graphite crystal(s) or small stack(s) of graphite planes (with typically up to 10 graphite planes or aromatic ring structures overlapped together to form a small ordered domain) and a second phase is non-crystalline carbon, and wherein the first phase is dispersed in the second phase or bonded by the second phase. The second phase is made up of mostly smaller molecules, smaller aromatic rings, defects, and amorphous carbon. Typically, the disordered carbon is highly porous (e.g., activated carbon) or present in an ultra-fine powder form (e.g. carbon black) having nano-scaled features (hence, a high specific surface area).

Soft carbon refers to a carbonaceous material composed of small graphite crystals wherein the orientations of these graphite crystals or stacks of graphene sheets are conducive to further merging of neighboring graphene sheets or further growth of these graphite crystals or graphene stacks (FIG. 4(A)) using a high-temperature heat treatment (graphitization). Hence, soft carbon is said to be graphitizable.

Hard carbon (FIG. 4(B)) refers to a carbonaceous material composed of small graphite crystals wherein these graphite crystals or stacks of graphene sheets are not oriented in a favorable directions (e.g. nearly perpendicular to each other) and, hence, are not conducive to further merging of neighboring graphene sheets or further growth of these graphite crystals or graphene stacks (i.e., not graphitizable).

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 4(C), Carbon black (CB), acetylene black (AB), and activated carbon (AC) are typically composed of domains of aromatic rings or small graphene sheets, wherein aromatic rings or graphene sheets in adjoining domains are somehow connected through some chemical bonds in the disordered phase (matrix). These carbon materials are commonly obtained from thermal decomposition (heat treatment, pyrolyzation, or burning) of hydrocarbon gases or liquids, or natural products (wood, coconut shells, etc).

The preparation of polymeric carbons by simple pyrolysis of polymers or petroleum/coal tar pitch materials has been known for approximately three decades. When polymers such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), rayon, cellulose and phenol formaldehyde were heated above 300° C. in an inert atmosphere they gradually lost most of their non-carbon contents. The resulting structure is generally referred to as a polymeric carbon. Depending upon the heat treatment temperature (HTT) and time, polymeric carbons can be made to be insulating, semi-conducting, or conducting with the electric conductivity range covering approximately 12 orders of magnitude. This wide scope of conductivity values can be further extended by doping the polymeric carbon with electron donors or acceptors. These characteristics uniquely qualify polymeric carbons as a novel, easy-to-process class of electro-active materials whose structures and physical properties can be readily tailor-made.

Polymeric carbons can assume an essentially amorphous structure, or have multiple graphite crystals or stacks of graphene planes dispersed in an amorphous carbon matrix. Depending upon the HTT used, various proportions and sizes of graphite crystals and defects are dispersed in an amorphous matrix. Various amounts of two-dimensional condensed aromatic rings or hexagons (precursors to graphene planes) can be found inside the microstructure of a heat treated polymer such as a PAN fiber. An appreciable amount of small-sized graphene sheets are believed to exist in PAN-based polymeric carbons treated at 300-1,000° C. These species condense into wider aromatic ring structures (larger-sized graphene sheets) and thicker plates (more graphene sheets stacked together) with a higher HTT or longer heat treatment time (e.g., >1,500° C.). These graphene platelets or stacks of graphene sheets (basal planes) are dispersed in a non-crystalline carbon matrix. Such a two-phase structure is a characteristic of some disordered carbon material.

There are several classes of precursor materials to the disordered carbon materials of the instant patent application. For instance, the first class includes semi-crystalline PAN in a fiber form. As compared to phenolic resin, the pyrolized PAN fiber has a higher tendency to develop small crystallites that are dispersed in a disordered matrix. The second class, represented by phenol formaldehyde, is a more isotropic, essentially amorphous and highly cross-linked polymer. The third class includes petroleum and coal tar pitch materials in bulk or fiber forms. The precursor material composition, heat treatment temperature (HTT), and heat treatment time (Htt) are three parameters that govern the length, width, thickness (number of graphene planes in a graphite crystal), and chemical composition of the resulting disordered carbon materials.

In the present investigation, PAN fibers were subjected to oxidation at 200-350° C. while under a tension, and then partial or complete carbonization at 350-1,500° C. to obtain polymeric carbons with various nano-crystalline graphite structures (graphite crystallites). Selected samples of these polymeric carbons were further heat-treated at a temperature in the range of 1,500-2,000° C. to partially graphitize the materials, but still retaining a desired amount of amorphous carbon (no less than 10%). Phenol formaldehyde resin and petroleum and coal tar pitch materials were subjected to similar heat treatments in a temperature range of 500 to 1,500° C. The disordered carbon materials obtained from PAN fibers or phenolic resins are preferably subjected to activation using a process commonly used to produce activated carbon (e.g., treated in a KOH melt at 900° C. for 1-5 hours). This activation treatment is intended for making the disordered carbon meso-porous, enabling liquid electrolyte to reach the edges or surfaces of the constituent aromatic rings after the SMC device is made. Such an arrangement enables the lithium ions in the liquid to readily deposit onto graphene surfaces without having to undergo solid-state diffusion.

Certain grades of petroleum pitch or coal tar pitch may be heat-treated (typically at 250-500° C.) to obtain a liquid crystal-type, optically anisotropic structure commonly referred to as meso-phase. This meso-phase material can be extracted out of the liquid component of the mixture to produce meso-phase particles or spheres.

Physical or chemical activation may be conducted on all kinds of disordered carbon (e.g. a soft carbon, hard carbon, polymeric carbon or carbonized resin, meso-phase carbon, coke, carbonized pitch, carbon black, activated carbon, or partially graphitized carbon) to obtain activated disordered carbon. For instance, the activation treatment can be accomplished through oxidizing, CO₂ physical activation, KOH or NaOH chemical activation, or exposure to nitric acid, fluorine, or ammonia plasma (for the purpose of creating electrolyte-accessible pores, not for functionalization).

Carbon Gels or Foams

The term “aerogel” is used herein to include the related terms “xerogel” and “cyrogel” and “aerogel-xerogel”, or “ambigel”. By way of example, aerogels are obtained by pyrolyzing a cross-linked polymer gel, in particular of the phenol-aldehyde resin type (in particular resorcinol-formaldehyde). More specifically, the following steps can be followed to make aerogels: Step 1 involves preparing an aqueous solution of a sol of a mixture of polymer or polymer precursor and a cross-linking agent, in particular of the phenol-aldehyde resin type (in particular resorcinol-formaldehyde). This is followed by step 2, which is gelling (cross-linking) by adding a basic solution acting as a catalyst. Pore size is governed in particular by the respective concentrations by weight in the sols and the concentration of catalysts. Step 3 can include depositing the gels on a plate, for example, or in a mold having the desired shape. A solvent exchange operation may be used to replace any water that might still be present with an organic solvent of the acetone type. The method may then continue with drying using sub- or supercritical carbon dioxide. Depending on the drying method used, the gel is referred to as an aerogel (supercritical drying), a xerogel (drying by evaporation), or a cyrogel (drying by lyophilization). This is followed by step 4, which is pyrolysis at a temperature in the range of 500 to 1500° C. (more commonly 800-1,200° C.) under an inert atmosphere.

The carbon aerogel electrode of the instant invention generally presents total porosity in the range of 70% to 95% by volume. Pores known as “transport pores” corresponding to macropores and mesopores generally represent porosity in the range 70% to 90% of the total volume. The term “mesopores” corresponds to pores having a diameter in the range 2 nanometers (nm) to 50 nm, while the term “macropores” corresponds to pores having a diameter greater than 50 nm. The macro-pores or meso-pores correspond to the spaces between the particles. Total porosity and macro- or meso-porosity are measured by helium pycnometry taking respectively the relative density of the material (amorphous carbon) as being 2 and the relative density of the individual carbon particles as evaluated by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as being 1.4.

The specific surface area of the macro-mesopores is measured by the nitrogen adsorption technique (t-plot technique) and the mean pore size is calculated from this value by assuming that the individual particles are spherical and mono-dispersed. In an embodiment, the specific surface area of the macro-mesopores lies in the range 30 m²/g to 300 m²/g, which can be increased to >1,500 m²/g through activation.

Organic aerogels can be made from resorcinol formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, cresol formaldehyde, phenol furfuryl alcohol, polyacrylamides, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polycyanurates, polyfurfural alcohol, polyimides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, polyvinyl alcohol dialdehyde, epoxies, agar agar, agarose, and many others. These organic aerogels (e.g. from phenol formaldehyde resin) can be subjected to heat treatments in a temperature range of 500 to 1,500° C. to obtain carbon aerogels and related carbon gel or foam materials. Various graphene (NGP) or carbon nanotube (CNT) materials discussed earlier can be mixed with the precursors to organic aerogels to form graphene- or nanotube-enhanced organic aerogels, which are then subjected to heat treatments to obtain graphene- or nanotube-enhanced carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel, with or without graphene or CNT, may be optionally subjected to a graphitization treatment at a temperature of 1,500-3,200° C. With such a treatment, some carbon aerogel (with or without the enhancing graphene sheets or CNT) can be converted into a meso-porous structure having graphene sheets dispersed in a carbon matrix. The carbon aerogels are typically meso-porous, enabling liquid electrolyte to reach the edges or surfaces of the constituent aromatic rings or graphene sheets after the SMC device is made. Such an arrangement enables the lithium ions in the liquid to readily deposit onto graphene surfaces without having to undergo solid-state diffusion.

In summary, the cathode active material and/or the anode active material of the presently invented SMC may be selected from (a) a porous disordered carbon material selected from a soft carbon, hard carbon, polymeric carbon or carbonized resin, meso-phase carbon, coke, carbonized pitch, carbon black, activated carbon, or partially graphitized carbon; (b) a graphene material selected from a single-layer sheet or multi-layer platelet of graphene, graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, boron-doped graphene, nitrogen-doped graphene, functionalized graphene, or reduced graphene oxide; (c) exfoliated graphite; (d) meso-porous carbon; (e) a non-functionalized carbon nanotube selected from a single-walled carbon nanotube or multi-walled carbon nanotube; (f) a carbon nano-fiber, (g) carbon gel or foam (including graphene-enhanced carbon aerogel and nanotube-enhanced carbon aerogel), or a combination thereof.

The following examples serve to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention:

Example 1 Functionalized and Non-Functionalized Soft Carbon (One Type of Disordered Carbon), Soft Carbon-Based Super-Battery and Surface-Mediated Cells

Non-functionalized and functionalized soft carbon materials were prepared from a liquid crystalline aromatic resin. The resin was ground with a mortar, and calcined at 900° C. for 2 h in a N₂ atmosphere to prepare the graphitizable carbon or soft carbon. The resulting soft carbon was mixed with small tablets of KOH (four-fold weight) in an alumina melting pot. Subsequently, the soft carbon containing KOH was heated at 750° C. for 2 h in N₂. Upon cooling, the alkali-rich residual carbon was washed with hot water until the outlet water reached a pH value of 7. The resulting material is activated, but non-functionalized soft carbon.

Separately, some portion of the activated soft carbon was then immersed in a 90% H₂O₂-10% H₂O solution at 45° C. for an oxidation treatment that lasted for 2 hours. Then, the resulting partially oxidized soft carbon was immersed in HCOOH at room temperature for functionalization for 24 hours. The resulting functionalized soft carbon was dried by heating at 60° C. in a vacuum oven for 24 hours.

Coin cells using functionalized soft carbon as a cathode and functionalized soft carbon as a nano-structured anode (plus a thin piece of lithium foil as a lithium source implemented between a current collector and a separator layer, Sample-1) were made and tested. Corresponding cells without functionalization (Sample-1b) were also prepared and tested for comparison. In all cells, the separator used was one sheet of micro-porous membrane (Celgard 2500). The current collector for each of the two electrodes was a piece of carbon-coated aluminum foil. The electrode was a composite composed of 85 wt. % soft carbon (+5% Super-P and 10% PTFE binder coated on Al foil). The electrolyte solution was 1 M LiPF₆ dissolved in a mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with a 3:7 volume ratio. The separator was wetted by a minimum amount of electrolyte to reduce the background current. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic measurements of the lithium cells were conducted using an Arbin 32-channel supercapacitor-battery tester at room temperature (in some cases, at a temperature as low as −40° C. and as high as 60° C.).

As a reference sample (Sample-1-CA), similar coin cells, containing a piece of lithium foil at the anode but without a nano-structured carbon layer, were also made and tested. This is a prior art lithium super-battery. Additionally, a symmetric supercapacitor with both electrodes being composed of a functionalized soft carbon material, but containing no additional lithium source than what is available in the liquid electrolyte, was also fabricated and evaluated (Sample-1-CB). The data was compared to the data of the prior art symmetric supercapacitor (f-LBL-CNT/f-LBL-CNT) of Lee, et al.

Galvanostatic studies of the super-battery (Sample-1-CA) with such a functionalized soft carbon-based bulk material (thickness >200 μm) as a cathode active material and those of the corresponding surface-controlled battery cell (Sample-1) and non-functionalized surface-mediated cells (Sample-1b) have enabled us to obtain significant data as summarized in the Ragone plot of FIG. 6(A) and cycling stability data (FIG. 6(B)). These plots allow us to make the following observations:

-   -   (a) Both the functionalized and non-functionalized         surface-controlled, lithium ion-exchanging battery devices         exhibit significantly higher energy densities and power         densities than those of the corresponding super-battery,         particularly at relatively high current densities (higher power         density data points in the plot). This demonstrates that the         presence of a nano-structured anode (in addition to the         nano-structured cathode) enables high rates of lithium ion         deposition onto and release from the massive surface areas of         the anode during the re-charge and discharge cycles,         respectively. The prior art super-battery, having a current         collector alone with a limited specific surface area as the         anode, cannot provide a sufficient amount of surface area for         use by the lithium ions that try to deposit onto or release from         the limited surface area all at the same time. The whole charge         or discharge process becomes surface-limited.     -   (b) Both surface-controlled, lithium ion-exchanging battery         devices exhibit significantly higher energy densities and power         densities than those of the corresponding symmetric         supercapacitors (Sample-1-CB) and those of the prior art         supercapacitor composed of a functionalized LBL CNT anode and a         functionalized LBL-CNT cathode of Lee, et al, both         supercapacitors having no lithium foil as a lithium source.         Actually, the two symmetric supercapacitors (without a lithium         source), based on either disordered carbon or LBL-CNT, exhibit         almost identical Ragone plots even though the two electrodes are         dramatically different in thickness (>100 μm for the disordered         carbon electrode and <3.0 μm for the LBN-CNT electrode). This is         likely a manifestation of the local surface adsorption or         electric double layer mechanism associated with a conventional         supercapacitor that does not require long-range transport of the         charges (in particular, requiring no exchange of lithium ions         between the anode and the cathode). The amounts of lithium ions         and their counter-ions (anions) are limited by the solubility of         a lithium salt in the solvent. The amounts of lithium that can         be captured and stored in the active material surfaces of either         electrode are dramatically higher than this solubility limit.     -   (c) As mentioned earlier in the Background section, the power         density of a state-of-the-art supercapacitor is typically of         5,000-10,000 W/Kg, but that of a lithium-ion battery is 100-500         W/kg. This implies that the presently invented surface-mediated         lithium ion-exchanging cells have an energy density comparable         to that of a modern battery, which is 5-16 times higher than the         energy density of conventional supercapacitors. The SMCs also         exhibit a power density (or charge-discharge rates)         significantly higher than the power density of conventional         electrochemical supercapacitors.     -   (d) The SMC based on non-functionalized surfaces perform         significantly better than the corresponding functionalized         surface-controlled cells in terms of both energy density and         power density.     -   (e) Most significantly, the non-functionalized surface-mediated         cells exhibit much better cycle stability as compared to the         functional material-based cell. As demonstrated in FIG. 6(B),         the non-functionalized surface cell maintains a high energy         density even after 2500 charge/discharge cycles. However, the         functionalized surface-controlled cell suffers a faster decay         with repeated charges/discharges.     -   (f) Further calculations from the obtained data indicate that         the discharge time for this prior art super-battery is 19         seconds at the current density of 10 A/g. By contrast, the         discharge time for the corresponding SMC is less than 5 seconds         at the same current density.

The cells of Sample-1 and Samples-1-CA work on the redox reactions of lithium ions with select functional groups on the surfaces/edges of aromatic rings at the cathode side

(Sample-1-CA) and at both the cathode and the anode (Sample-1). These functional groups, attached to both the edge and plane surfaces of aromatic rings (small graphene sheets), are capable of rapidly and reversibly react with lithium. The SMCs based on non-functionalized surfaces perform even better. The surface-mediated lithium ion-exchanging battery of the present invention is a revolutionary new energy storage device that fundamentally differs from a supercapacitor and a lithium-ion battery. In terms of both energy density and power density, neither conventional device even comes close.

Example 2 NGPs from Sulfuric Acid Intercalation and Exfoliation of MCMBs

MCMB 2528 microbeads (Osaka Gas Chemical Company, Japan) have a density of about 2.24 g/cm³; a median size of about 22.5 microns, and an inter-planar distance of about 0.336 nm. MCMB 2528 (10 grams) were intercalated with an acid solution (sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and potassium permanganate at a ratio of 4:1:0.05) for 24 hours. Upon completion of the reaction, the mixture was poured into deionized water and filtered. The intercalated MCMBs were repeatedly washed in a 5% solution of HCl to remove most of the sulphate ions. The sample was then washed repeatedly with deionized water until the pH of the filtrate was neutral. The slurry was dried and stored in a vacuum oven at 60° C. for 24 hours. The dried powder sample was placed in a quartz tube and inserted into a horizontal tube furnace pre-set at a desired temperature, 600° C. for 30 seconds to obtain exfoliated graphite. The exfoliated MCMB sample was subjected to further functionalization in formic acid at 25° C. for 30 minutes in an ultrasonication bath to obtain functionalized graphene (f-NGP). Non-functionalized NGPs were also obtained via ultrasonication of exfoliated MCMBs in water without any functionalizing agent.

For a functionalized or non-functionalized surface-controlled battery, NGPs were used as both a cathode material and as an anode material. A lithium foil was added between the anode and the separator. For a reference super-battery, the anode is a lithium foil (no nano-structured NGP) and the cathode is f-NGP. The Ragone plot for these three types of cells is shown in FIG. 7. Both of the NGP-based, surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging battery devices exhibit significantly higher energy densities and power densities than those of the corresponding super-battery, particularly at relatively high current densities (higher power density data points in the plot). This again demonstrates the superior performance of the SMCs over the super-battery. The non-functionalized surface-mediated cell performs better than the functionalized surface-controlled cell in terms of energy density and power density. Also quite significantly and surprisingly, as compared with the functionalized surface-mediated cell, the non-functionalized surface-mediated cell exhibits a much better long-term stability as repeated charges/discharges continue (FIG. 8).

Example 3 SMCs Based on Graphene Materials (NGPs) from Natural Graphite, Carbon Fibers, and Artificial Graphite and Based on Carbon Black (CB) and Treated CB

Oxidized NGP or graphene oxide (GO) was prepared with a modified Hummers' method that involved exposing the starting graphitic materials to a mixture of sulfuric acid, sodium nitrate, and potassium permanganate at a ratio of 4:1:0.1 for 72 hours. The resulting GO was then thoroughly rinsed with water to obtain GO suspension, which was followed by two different routes of material preparation. One route involved subjecting the GO suspension to ultrasonication to obtain isolated graphene oxide sheets suspended in water (for Cell-N). The other route involved spray-drying GO suspension to obtain graphite intercalation compound (GIC) or GO powder. The GIC or GO powder was then thermally exfoliated at 1,050° C. for 45 seconds to obtain exfoliated graphite or graphite worms (Cell-G). Exfoliated graphite worms from artificial graphite and carbon fibers were then subjected to ultrasonication to separate or isolate oxidized graphene sheets (Cell-M and Cell-C, respectively). Carbon black (CB) was subjected to a chemical treatment similar to the Hummers' method to open up nano-gates, enabling electrolyte access to the interior (Cell t-CB).

Each electrode, composed of 85% graphene, 5% Super-P (AB-based conductive additive), and 10% PTFE, was coated on Al foil. The thickness of the electrode was typically around 150-200 μm, but an additional series of samples with thicknesses of approximately 80, 100, 150 μm was prepared to evaluate the effect of electrode size on the power and energy densities of the resulting supercapacitor-battery cells. Electrodes as thin as 20 μm were also made for comparison. The electrode was dried in a vacuum oven at 120° C. for 12 hours before use. The negative electrode was Li metal supported on a layer of graphene sheets. Coin-size cells were assembled in a glove box using 1M LiPF₆/EC+DMC as electrolyte.

Example 4 Functionalized and Non-Functionalized Activated Carbon

Activated carbon (AC, from Ashbury Carbon Co.) was treated with an acid solution (sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and potassium permanganate at a ratio of 4:1:0.05) for 24 hours. Upon completion of the reaction, the mixture was poured into deionized water and filtered. The treated AC was repeatedly washed in a 5% solution of HCl to remove most of the sulphate ions. The sample was then washed repeatedly with deionized water until the pH of the filtrate was neutral. The slurry was subjected to further functionalization in formic acid at 25° C. for 30 minutes in an ultrasonication bath. Subsequently, dip-coating was used to obtain thin films of chemically functionalized activated carbon (f-AC) with a thickness of typically between 20 and 150 μm coated on a surface of an aluminized carbon layer as a current collector. Such an electrode was used as an anode and the same type of material was used as a cathode, with a lithium foil implements between a porous separator and one electrode as a lithium source. A corresponding SMC cell without the functionalization treatment was also prepared and tested.

The capacity was measured with galvanostatic experiments using an Arbin SCTS electrochemical testing instrument. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was conducted on a CHI 660 Instruments electrochemical workstation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM, Hitachi S-4800), transmission electron microscopy (TEM, Hitachi H-7600), FTIR (PerkinElmer GX Raman spectroscopy (Renishaw in Via Reflex Micro-Raman), and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the chemical compositions and microstructure of the NGP and exfoliated graphite samples.

The NGP-mediated electrodes provide the cells (e.g. Cell M) with a specific capacitance of 127 mAh/g at a current density of 1 A/g, reaching a cell-level energy density of 85 Wh/kg_(cell) (FIG. 8(C)) at a current density of 0.1 A/g, which is 17 times higher than the typically 5 Wh/kg_(cell) of commercial AC-based symmetric supercapacitors.

Another graphene surface-mediated cell (Cell-N, FIG. 8(D)) exhibits an even higher energy density of 160 Wh/kg_(cell), comparable to that of a lithium-ion battery. The energy density of Cell-N maintains a value over 51.2 Wh/kg_(cell) even at a current density as high as 10 A/g, delivering a power density of 4.55 kW/kg_(cell). The power density of commercial AC-based symmetric supercapacitors is typically in the range of 1-10 kW/kg_(cell) at an energy density of 5 Wh/kg_(cell), This implies that, compared with a conventional supercapacitor at the same power density, the surface-mediated devices can deliver >10 times the energy density.

The power density is 25.6 kW/kg_(cell) at 50 A/g with an energy density of 24 Wh/kg_(cell). The power density increases to 93.7 kW/kg_(cell) at 200 A/g with an energy density of 12 Wh/kg_(cell) (FIG. 8(D)). This power density is one order of magnitude higher than that of conventional supercapacitors that are noted for their high power densities, and 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than those (typically 0.1-1.0 kW/kg_(cell)) of conventional lithium-ion batteries. These data have clearly demonstrated that the surface-enabled cells are a class of energy storage cells by itself, distinct from both conventional supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries.

FIG. 8(B) contains a comparison of CV data showing that the carbon fiber-derived graphene has slightly better performance than graphite-derived graphene as an electrode active material. This is likely due to the more curved or wrinkled shapes of fiber-derived graphene, which avoid complete face-to-face re-stacking of graphene sheets during electrode preparation. The lower energy density and power density of the exfoliated graphite-based cell (Cell-G) relative to the fully separated NGP-based (Cells M and C) might be ascribed to a lower specific surface area of EG (typically 200-300 m²/g based on BET measurements), as opposed to the typically 600-900 m²/g of mostly isolated single-layer graphene sheets.

FIG. 8(D) indicates that the energy density and power density values of carbon black (CB) can be significantly increased by subjecting CB to an activation/functionalization treatment that involves an exposure to a mixture of sulfuric acid, sodium nitrate, and potassium permanganate for 24 hours. The BET surface area was found to increase from approximately 60 m²/g to approximately 300 m²/g, resulting in a capacity increase from 8.47 mAh/g to 46.63 mAh/g). The cell with treated carbon black electrodes exhibits power and energy densities comparable to those of activated carbon electrode.

FIG. 10 show the Ragone plots of graphene surface-enabled Li ion-exchanging cells with different electrode thicknesses. The energy density and power density values were calculated based on total cell weight in FIG. 10(A) and based on the cathode weight only in FIG. 10(B). These data show that the electrode thickness plays a critical role in dictating the energy density and power density of a SMC. Most significantly, these data have clearly demonstrated that our SMCs having thick electrodes can perform very well, without having to use expensive and slow processes (such as layer-by-layer, LBL, proposed by Lee, et al) to make ultra-thin electrodes for use in CNT-based super-batteries. FIG. 10 has also clearly demonstrated that the surface-mediated cells are a class of energy storage cells by itself, distinct from both supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries.

FIG. 12 indicates that the specific surface area of the electrode is the single most important parameter in dictating the lithium storage capacity. The data point having the highest specific capacity in this plot is obtained from a chemically reduced graphene oxide. Our chemical analysis data indicate that this heavily reduced graphene material has an oxygen content less than 2.0%, suggesting that essentially no functional group exists. Heavily oxidized graphene, upon chemical or thermal reduction, is known to have a fair amount of surface defect sites. This and other several data points confirm the significance of the surface trapping mechanism. Four data points (denoted by “x”) are for pristine graphene electrodes wherein the graphene material was obtained from direct ultrasonication of pure graphite (>99.9% carbon). These data points show that pure graphene surfaces (with benzene ring centers, and without surface defect or functional group) are equally capable of capturing lithium ions from electrolyte and storing comparable amounts of lithium on a per unit surface area basis.

The long-term stability of these SMC cells is remarkable (FIG. 11). Most surprisingly, those non-functionalized surface-based SMC cells (Cells N and AC) exhibit a capacity that, after some slight decay during the first 300 cycles, increases with the number of cycles thereafter. This is rather unique and unexpected. This has never been observed with any conventional supercapacitor, lithium ion capacitor, lithium-ion battery, lithium super-battery, or functionalized surface-controlled cell.

FIG. 13 shows a Ragone plot of 4 carbon aerogel-based cells: 1 SMC with carbon aerogel anode and cathode operating in the range of 1.5-4.5 volts, 2 SMCs with graphene-enhanced carbon aerogel anode and cathode (voltage range of 1.5-4.5 volts and of 1.2-4.5 volts), and a carbon aerogel symmetric supercapacitors (found to operate in the range of 0-2.7 volts). The carbon aerogel was obtained from resorcinol formaldehyde with a heat treatment temperature of 1,200° C. The graphene-enhanced carbon aerogel electrodes contain 57% by weight graphene obtained from natural graphite as described in Example 3. This plot demonstrates that the energy density of the SMC can be increased from 720 to 890 Wh/kg (based on the cathode weight) by extending the lower voltage limit from 1.5 volts to 1.2 volts. By dividing the cathode weight-based energy density value by a factor of 5 we obtain the cell-level energy density of 890/5=178 Wh/kg, which is even higher than those of most of the conventional lithium-ion batteries. The same cell can deliver a power density of 25 kW/kg based on the total cell weight. This is 50 times higher than those of a typical conventional lithium-ion cell.

In conclusion, the instant invention provides a revolutionary energy storage device that has the best features of both the supercapacitor and the lithium ion battery. These fully surface-enabled, lithium ion-exchanging cells, with their materials and structures yet to be optimized, are already capable of storing an energy density of 160 Wh/kg_(cell), which is 30 times higher than that of conventional electric double layer (EDL) supercapacitors. The power density of 100 kW/kg_(cell) (achievable up to this point) is 15 times higher than that (6 kW/kg_(cell)) of conventional EDL supercapacitors and 100-200 times higher than that (0.5-1.0 kW/kg_(cell)) of conventional lithium-ion batteries. These surface-mediated cells can be re-charged in seconds, as opposed to hours for conventional lithium ion batteries. This is truly a major breakthrough and revolutionary technology. 

We claim:
 1. A surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging cell (SMC) comprising: (a) A positive electrode (cathode) comprising a carbon-based cathode active material having a surface area to capture and store lithium thereon, wherein the cathode active material does not contain a functionalized or oxidized carbon nanotube and has an electrode thickness greater than 5 μm; (b) A negative electrode (anode) comprising an anode current collector alone, or combined anode current collector and anode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (c) A porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; (d) A lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein said anode active material and/or said cathode active material has a specific surface area no less than 100 m²/g which is in direct physical contact with said electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; and (e) A lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes or pre-lithiated into or onto said anode when the cell is made, and the cell has an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of at least 0.8 volts prior to a first charge or discharge cycle of the cell; wherein said cell operates between a lower voltage limit and an upper voltage limit wherein the lower voltage limit is lower than said OCV and the upper voltage limit is between 3.8 volts and 4.5 volts.
 2. The SMC cell of claim 1 wherein said cathode active material or anode active material is selected from: (a) porous disordered carbon material selected from a soft carbon, hard carbon, polymeric carbon or carbonized resin, meso-phase carbon, coke, carbonized pitch, carbon black, activated carbon, or partially graphitized carbon; (b) graphene material selected from a single-layer sheet or multi-layer platelet of graphene, graphene oxide having less than 5% by weight oxygen, graphene fluoride, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, boron-doped graphene, nitrogen-doped graphene, functionalized graphene, or reduced graphene oxide; (c) exfoliated graphite; (d) meso-porous carbon; (e) non-functionalized and non-oxidized carbon nanotube; (f) non-functionalized carbon nano-fiber, (g) carbon aerogel or carbon foam, or a combination thereof.
 3. The SMC cell of claim 1 wherein said cathode active material or anode active material is selected from carbon aerogel or foam, graphene-enhanced carbon aerogel, carbon nanotube-enhanced carbon aerogel, or a combination thereof.
 4. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein the lithium source comprises a lithium chip, lithium alloy chip, lithium foil, lithium alloy foil, lithium powder, lithium alloy powder, surface stabilized lithium particles, a mixture of lithium metal or lithium alloy with a lithium intercalation compound, lithium or lithium alloy film coated on a surface of an anode or cathode active material, or a combination thereof.
 5. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein said lower voltage limit is selected from 0.6 volts to 1.2 volts.
 6. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein said cathode has a thickness greater than 50 μm.
 7. The SMC cell of claim 2, wherein said cathode is not formed by a layer-by-layer method.
 8. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein said anode and/or cathode active material contains less than 5% by weight oxygen.
 9. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein said cell has an open-circuit voltage of at least 2.5 volts.
 10. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein at least one of the anode current collector or cathode current collector is a porous, electrically conductive material selected from metal foam, metal web or screen, perforated metal sheet, metal fiber mat, metal nanowire mat, porous conductive polymer film, conductive polymer nano-fiber mat or paper, conductive polymer foam, carbon foam, carbon aerogel, carbon xerox gel, graphene foam, graphene oxide foam, reduced graphene oxide foam, carbon fiber paper, graphene paper, graphene oxide paper, reduced graphene oxide paper, carbon nano-fiber paper, carbon nano-tube paper, or a combination thereof.
 11. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein said carbon-based cathode active material forms a meso-porous electrode structure having a pore size in the range of 2 nm and 10 nm and is selected from soft carbon, hard carbon, meso-phase carbon, carbon black, activated carbon, multi-layer platelet of graphene, graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, boron-doped graphene, nitrogen-doped graphene, functionalized graphene, or reduced graphene oxide, exfoliated graphite, meso-porous carbon, non-functionalized and no-oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotube, non-functionalized carbon nano-fiber, carbon aerogel or foam, graphene-enhanced carbon aerogel, nanotube-enhanced carbon aerogel, or a combination thereof; wherein at least 30% of the lithium is stored on surfaces of said cathode active material when the cell is in a discharged state.
 12. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein a discharge operation of said cell involves both lithium intercalation into the interior of said cathode active material and lithium adsorption on surfaces of said cathode active material.
 13. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is liquid electrolyte or gel electrolyte containing a first amount of lithium ions when said cell is made.
 14. The SMC cell of claim 13, wherein an operation of said cell involves an exchange of a second amount of lithium ions between said cathode and said anode and said second amount of lithium is greater than said first amount.
 15. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein said anode active material is not intercalated or de-intercalated with lithium when said cell is in operation.
 16. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two electrodes has a specific surface area of no less than 500 m²/g that is in direct contact with said electrolyte.
 17. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two electrodes has a specific surface area of no less than 1,000 m²/g that is in direct contact with said electrolyte.
 18. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two electrodes has a specific surface area of no less than 1,500 m²/g that is in direct contact with said electrolyte.
 19. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two electrodes has a specific surface area of no less than 2,000 m²/g that is in direct contact with said electrolyte.
 20. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein said anode active material is pre-loaded with lithium before or when the cell is made.
 21. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein said anode active material is prelithiated with a surface area being pre-coated or pre-plated with lithium before or when said cell is made.
 22. The SMC cell of claim 1, wherein the anode active material or the cathode active material has a surface area that does not contain a functional group thereon, and said functional group-free surface is exposed to said electrolyte.
 23. The SMC cell of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte comprises an organic liquid electrolyte, gel electrolyte, a lithium salt-containing ionic liquid, or a combination thereof.
 24. The SMC cell of claim 1 wherein said positive electrode has a thickness greater than 100 μm.
 25. A surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging cell (SMC) comprising: (A) A positive electrode (cathode) comprising a carbon-based cathode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon, wherein the cathode active material does not contain functionalized or oxidized carbon nanotube; (B) A negative electrode (anode) comprising an anode current collector alone or a combination of an anode current collector and an anode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (C) A porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; (D) A lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein said anode active material and/or said cathode active material has a specific surface area of no less than 100 m²/g which is in direct physical contact with said electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; and (E) A lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes or pre-lithiated into said anode when the cell is made, and the cell has an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of at least 0.8 volts prior to a first charge or discharge cycle of the cell; wherein said cell operates between a lower voltage limit and an upper voltage limit wherein said lithium source provides an amount of lithium sufficient for said anode to retain a non-zero lithium content when said cell is discharged to the lower voltage limit.
 26. The SMC cell of claim 25 wherein said lithium source contains an amount of lithium sufficient for said anode to retain a non-zero lithium content equivalent to at least 10% of the total anode weight, including said anode current collector and anode active material weights combined, when said device is discharged to the lower voltage limit.
 27. The SMC cell of claim 25 wherein said lithium source is selected from lithium metal, a lithium metal alloy, a mixture of lithium metal or lithium alloy with a lithium intercalation compound, a lithiated compound, lithiated titanium dioxide, lithium titanate, lithium manganate, a lithium transition metal oxide, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, or a combination thereof.
 28. The SMC cell of claim 25, wherein the lithium intercalation compound or lithiated compound is selected from the following groups of materials: (a) Lithiated silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and mixtures thereof; (b) Lithiated alloys or intermetallic compounds of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Al, Ti, Co, Ni, Mn, Cd, and their mixtures; (c) Lithiated oxides, carbides, nitrides, sulfides, phosphides, selenides, tellurides, or antimonides of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Al, Fe, Ti, Co, Ni, Mn, Cd, and mixtures or composites thereof, and (d) Lithiated salts or hydroxides of Sn.
 29. The SMC cell of claim 25 wherein said cathode active material or anode active material is selected from: (a) porous disordered carbon material selected from a soft carbon, hard carbon, polymeric carbon or carbonized resin, meso-phase carbon, coke, carbonized pitch, carbon black, activated carbon, or partially graphitized carbon; (b) graphene material selected from a single-layer sheet or multi-layer platelet of graphene, graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, boron-doped graphene, nitrogen-doped graphene, functionalized graphene, or reduced graphene oxide; (c) exfoliated graphite; (d) meso-porous carbon; (e) non-functionalized carbon nanotube; (f) non-functionalized carbon nano-fiber; (g) carbon aerogel or carbon foam, graphene-enhanced carbon aerogel, carbon nanotube-enhanced carbon aerogel, or a combination thereof.
 30. The SMC cell of claim 25 wherein said electrolyte comprises an organic liquid electrolyte, a gel electrolyte, a lithium salt-doped ionic liquid, or a combination thereof.
 31. The SMC cell of claim 25 wherein said positive electrode has a thickness greater than 100 μm.
 32. A surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging cell (SMC) comprising: (A) A positive electrode (cathode) comprising a carbon-based cathode active material having a non-functionalized surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (B) A negative electrode (anode) comprising an anode current collector alone or a combination of an anode current collector and an anode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (C) A porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; (D) A lithium-containing ionic liquid electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein said anode active material and/or said cathode active material has a specific surface area no less than 100 m²/g which is in direct physical contact with said electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; and (E) A lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes or pre-lithiated into or onto said anode when the cell is made, and the cell has an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of at least 0.8 volts prior to a first charge or discharge cycle of the cell; wherein said cell operates between a lower voltage limit and an upper voltage limit wherein said lithium source provides an amount of lithium sufficient for said anode to retain a non-zero lithium content when said cell is discharged to the lower voltage limit.
 33. A stack of SMC device comprising at least two SMC cells of claim 1 connected in series or in parallel.
 34. A stack of SMC device comprising at least two SMC cells of claim 25 connected in series or in parallel.
 35. A stack of SMC device comprising at least two SMC cells of claim 32 connected in series or in parallel. 